ADULT

SABBATH SCHOOL

LESSONS

JAN FEB MAR 1996

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Adult Sabbath School Lessons (ISSN 8750-1988)/No. 403/January-March 1996.

Editorial Office

12501 Old Columbia Pike

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Principal Contributor

V. Bailey Gillespie

Editor

Erwin R. Gane

Associate Editor

Lyndelle Chiomenti

Editorial Assistant

Sandra Blackmer

Art and Design

Lars Justinen

Pacific Press Coordinator

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The adult Sabbath School lessons

are prepared by the Department of

Church Ministries of the General

Conference of Seventh-day

Adventists. The preparation of the

lessons is under the general

direction of a worldwide Sabbath

School lesson committee, the

members of which serve as

consulting editors. The published

lesson quarterly reflects the input of

the committee and thus does not

solely or necessarily represent the

intent of the authors.

Discovery Through Study,

Prayer, and Meditation

Understanding Types

of Bible Literature

How to Study a Bible Theme

How to Study Inductively

The Text Speaks About

Worship (Part 1)

The Text Speaks About

Worship (Part 2)

Biographical Bible Study: Peter

How to Do a Bible Word Study

Study of Bible Teachings

Study of Bible Prophecy

104

The Centrality of the Bible

The Purpose of Bible Study

Learning to Interpret the Bible Text

Contents

97693-

NUL11

Meet the Principal Contributor

to This Quarter's Lessons

V. Bailey Gillespie is professor of

theology and Christian personality and

executive director of the John Hancock

Center for Youth Ministry at La Si-

erra University, School of Religion,

Riverside, California. He has been

with the La Sierra University faculty

since 1975. In addition to his teach-

ing assignment, he is the managing

editor of the La Sierra University Press.

Born in California, Gillespie gradu-

ated from Loma Linda University,

Riverside, California, in 1964 with a

bachelor of arts degree in theology

and biblical languages. He earned his

master of arts degree at Andrews Uni-

versity in New Testament and philosophical theology in 1965 and his

bachelor of divinity degree at Andrews University Theological Semi-

nary in 1966. He received his doctorate with a focus on religious

learning and Christian personality from Claremont Graduate School,

Claremont, California, in 1973.

Before coming to La Sierra University, Gillespie served with

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry as associate dean for

student life and admissions and taught with the School of Religion

faculty. He has also taught junior-high-school religion, high-school

religion and music, and pastored in the Southern California Confer-

ence. He was ordained as a minister in Lynwood, California, in 1973.

Gillespie has written and edited a number of books. He edited the

Project Affirmation and

Valuegenesis

Research series of publica-

tions. And he wrote scores of lessons for the youth quarterly

Corner-

stone Connections

between 1982 and 1989.

He is married to Judith Walcker Gillespie, president of Gillespie

Shorthand Reporting Corporation in Riverside, California. They have

a daughter, Shannon Quishenberry, who is an elementary-school

teacher, and a son, Timothy, who is a college student at La Sierra

University.

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Sabbath School lessons.

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Let's Begin: How to

Study Your Bible

Jesus Christ explained why it is so important for everyone to study

the Bible: So that they may have "eternal life: that they may know

you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John

17:3, NIV). As we present various methods of Bible study this

quarter, we first wish to emphasize that the Bible, the infallible Word

of God, is its own interpreter. By this we mean that the Holy Spirit

enables Christ's true followers to see the relationships between Bible

passages, interpreting the message of one passage in the light of all

other Bible truth on the same subject.

Never before in the history of the world has the Bible been more

available to the general population. Versions of the sacred Scriptures

abound, which are targeted at and marketed for children, youth, and

adults. But at the same time, there seems to be a famine of God's

Word. We have Bibles everywhere—in motels, doctors' offices,

libraries, and most homes in some countries. Yet research indicates

that many are ignorant of what the Bible has to say, and still others

seldom apply Bible truths to the practice of their religion.

The Bible teaches us that being a disciple of Jesus Christ involves

becoming acquainted with His Word. Ellen G. White suggests: "Through

the study of the Bible, converse is held with patriarchs and prophets.

The truth is clothed in elevated language, which exerts a fascinating

power over the mind; the thought is lifted up from the things of earth,

and brought to contemplate the glory of the future immortal life.

What wisdom of man can compare with the grandeur of the revela-

tion of

God?"—Fundamentals of Christian Education,

p. 130.

On a typical evening, the average Christian may watch television

for two hours or more but only spend minutes reading his or her

Bible before bedtime. The

Valuegenesis

research in the North Ameri-

can Division of Seventh-day Adventists hints that less than one-third

of families practice a regular worship, using the Bible as their source

and textbook. How can one know the will of God if there is only a

brief encounter with His words? Thus this quarter's lessons direct us

to a new understanding and application of skills in Bible study.

The goals of this quarter's lesson study are: (1) to underline the

reason we study the Bible and (2) to put into practice various study

methods. We want you to try new approaches in order to understand

and apply significant Bible truth. Special attention will be given to

the topic of Christian worship. But some study methods lend them-

selves better to other topics.

Jesus said: " 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples

indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you

free' "

(John 8:31, 32, NKJV).

Lesson 1



December 31—January 6

The Centrality of the Bible

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: 2 Tim. 3:14-17; John 8:31,

32; Prov. 2:1-15.

MEMORY TEXT: "If you look for it as for silver and search

for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear

of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:4, 5,

NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

"The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testa-

ments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration

through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved

by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the

knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infal-

lible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the

test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the

trustworthy record of God's acts in

history."—Seventh-day Adventist

Yearbook 1994,

p. 5.

THE BIBLE IS CENTRAL.

Often we avoid deep, detailed, and

thorough study. Unless something captures our imagination or we

sense its deep importance, we can have a difficult time learning it.

There seem to be three stages of attitudes toward Bible study:

(1)

the "Medicine Stage,"

in which we study because we suspect it

should be good for us to do so; (2)

the "Nurture Stage,"

in which we

recognize that the Bible is important and can help us, but it is often

seen as dry and difficult to understand; (3)

the "Garden Stage,"

which we discover the central importance of the message for our

personal spiritual growth. Study becomes exciting and more focused.

Sunday



December 31

THE BIBLE AS TEACHER (2 Tim. 3:14-17; John 8:31, 32).

How does the study of the Word of God help us to grow? How

can the Bible provide the basis for our beliefs and practices?

2 Tim. 3:14-17.

The apostle Paul gives us a number of reasons why we should

spend time studying the Scriptures. The first reason is that, as we

search the Scriptures, we come to know Jesus Christ and experience

His salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).

The second purpose of Bible study is that it assists us in growing

spiritually so that we might be "equipped" for the service of God

(2 Tim. 3:17, NIV). Too often we find that we have knowledge but

are not equipped to cope with our problems. The Bible provides the

means

by which we can be ready for problems and provides the

answers

when those problems arise.

Third, verse 16 suggests that the Scriptures are to

teach

us. Here

is the basis for doctrinal, truth-filled study. We cannot make useful

applications of truth without knowledge. The means of spiritual

growth are teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteous-

ness (2 Tim. 3:16). The Bible is our "guidebook" for living.

What kinds of information in the Bible help us in our Chris-

tian walk? John 8:31, 32. Reflect on when the Bible has been

most influential in your personal life.

"In order to exercise intelligent faith, we should study the Word of

God. The Bible, and the Bible alone, communicates a correct knowl-

edge of the character of God, and of his will concerning us. The duty

and the destiny of man are defined in its pages. The conditions on

which we may hope for eternal life are explicitly stated."—Ellen G.

White,

Review and Herald,

Sept. 22, 1910.

"The Bible is the only rule of faith and doctrine. And there is

nothing more calculated to energize the mind, and strengthen the

intellect, than the study of the word of God. No other book is so

potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the

broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's word were studied as it

should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character,

and a stability of purpose, that is rarely seen in these times."—Ellen

G. White,

Review and Herald,

July 17, 1888.

Can Christians be disciples of Jesus if they do not regularly

study the Word of God? Explain.

Monday



January 1

MADE FREE BY THE WORD OF GOD (John 8:31-47; 2 Cor.

3:17, 18).

What is the freedom in Christ that is explored in John 8:31-

47? How does one become free from sin?

In the New Testament the Greek adjective meaning "free"

(eleutheros)

occurs 23 times. It is not used in the sense of political

freedom, for Jesus was not a political messiah. The New Testament

does not associate itself with the idea of freedom as some kind of

power to do whatever one wants. Freedom is always seen as what

occurs when we are involved in the "glorious freedom

[eleutheria]

the children of God" (Rom. 8:21, NIV). The believer enjoys freedom

whenever the Spirit of the Lord is present (2 Cor. 3:17, 18).

According to John 8:31-47, what is the relationship between

freedom and Bible study? Explain, "He who belongs to God

hears what God says" (verse 47, NIV).

"Let everyone study the Bible, knowing that the word of God is as

enduring as the eternal throne. If you come to the study of the

Scriptures in humility, with earnest prayer for guidance, angels of

God will open to you its living realities; and if you cherish the

precepts of truth, they will be to you as a wall of fire against the

temptations, delusions, and enchantments of Satan."—Ellen G. White,

The Signs of the Times,

Sept. 18, 1893.

What experiences can you share illustrating the freedom in

Christ that has come through your study of the Word?

"Through the study of the Scriptures we obtain a correct knowl-

edge of how to live so as to enjoy the greatest amount of unalloyed

happiness. The Bible student is also furnished with Scripture argu-

ments so that he can meet the doubts of unbelievers and remove them

by the clear light of truth. Those who have searched the Scriptures

may ever be fortified against the temptations of Satan; they may be

thoroughly furnished to all good works and prepared to give to every

man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them."

—Testimonies for the Church,

vol. 3, p. 374.

What practical suggestions about reading and studying the

Bible can you give to struggling Christians?

Tuesday



January 2

THE NATURE OF THE SCRIPTURES (Prov. 2:1-15).

What attitude should we have when looking to Scripture for

answers? According to Proverbs 2:1-15, what are the rewards of

searching God's Word? (Compare 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.)

Throughout the history of the Christian church most have under-

stood the Bible in much the same way as they have understood the

person of Christ. The incarnation principle that is applied to the

person of Jesus applies to our Bible, as well. The Bible is at the same

time both human and divine. On the one hand, it is the infallible

Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, this

inspired Word was put into imperfect human language by fallen

human beings. This blending of humanity and divinity is sometimes

difficult to understand. Because the Word of God is inspired, it has

deep, eternal relevance and speaks to everyone at any time in the

history of the world.

"The Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed, the sole bond

of union; all who bow to this Holy Word will be in harmony. Our

own views and ideas must not control our efforts. Man is fallible, but

God's Word is infallible."

"The Bible is not given to us in grand superhuman language.

Jesus, in order to reach man where he is, took humanity. The Bible

must be given in the language of men. Everything that is human is

imperfect. Different meanings are expressed by the same word; there

is not one word for each distinct idea. The Bible was given for

practical purposes."

"The Bible is written by inspired men, but it is not God's mode of

thought and expression. It is that of humanity. God, as a writer, is not

represented. Men will often say such an expression is not like God.

But God has not put Himself in words, in logic, in rhetoric, on trial in

the Bible. The writers of the Bible were God's penmen, not His pen.

Look at the different writers.

"It is not the words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that

were inspired. Inspiration acts not on the man's words or his expres-

sions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy

Ghost, is imbued with thoughts. But the words receive the impress of

the individual mind. The divine mind is diffused. The divine mind

and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utter-

ances of the man are the word of

God."—Selected Messages,

book 1,

pp. 416, 20, 21.

Why can we have complete confidence in the Word of God,

even though human instruments were involved in its production?

Wednesday



January 3

THE BIBLE AS GOD'S REVELATION (2 Peter 1:16-21; Eph.

3:1-6).

Are there concerns and problems we face that are different

from those of the first-century Christians? What does 2 Peter

1:16-21 tell us about how God reveals Himself to us today?

God speaks to us through the Bible in a number of ways:

First, it

is God's revelation, a collection of accounts of God's revealing

Himself to us and to His people through the centuries.

And it records

in detail the greatest revelation of all, Jesus.

Second, the Bible is a present-day revelation.

The Bible says that

"men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (verse 21, NASB).

The source of the revelation is God. This fact makes the writings of

Bible authors vitally relevant for every era, including our day.

Third, the Bible brings truth and conviction to us personally.

Sometimes this is most direct, through the prompting of our thoughts

as we read. The same Spirit of God who inspired the writers often

reveals living messages from God to us.

Fourth, the Bible's messages have universal application.

The

Word of God is for everyone. "All Scripture is God-breathed"

(2 Tim. 3:16, NIV), Paul says, and through it we all can hear what

God hopes for the world and for each individual.

What does Ephesians 3:1-6 suggest is the relationship between

the written Word and the person of Jesus?

"When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery

of Christ" (Eph. 3:4, RSV). God has revealed Himself to us in at least

four unique ways—nature, Jesus, His Spirit, His Word (including the

prophetic Word; see 2 Peter 1:19). Jesus comes directly to us through

the Holy Spirit.

"The Holy Spirit has been given us as an aid in the study of the

Bible. . . . When the Bible is made the study book, with earnest

supplication for the Spirit's guidance, and with a full surrender of the

heart to be sanctified through the truth, all that Christ has promised

will be accomplished."—Counsels

to Parents, Teachers, and Stu-

dents,

p. 357.

What does the Bible teach us about the character of God?

What do we learn about God and His will through the lives of

Bible characters?

Thursday



January 4

THE RICHNESS OF GOD'S WORD (James 1:22-25; Ps. 119:96-

105).

What attitudes toward God's Word are we instructed to adopt?

James 1:22-25.

The Bible provides a rich texture of comments that are to guide

our lives and help us in the choices we make each day. In Bible times

hearing and doing were closely related. In fact, hearing implied

doing. That is why Jesus often said, "He who has ears to hear, let him

hear" (Luke 14:35, NIV). He meant that since everyone has ears, all

are expected to comply and do what He suggested or commanded.

Obedience is always implied if the revelation of God in the Scrip-

tures is our authority. James suggests that doers of the Word are the

true believers and are blessed for their response to the revelation of

God.

What keeps us from becoming a doer of God's Word? Gal.

5:17. What makes the Bible alive in our lives? James 1:25.

David poetically described his love for the Word of God in Psalm

119. Three qualities are evident in David's experience that helped

him appreciate the wisdom of God in the laws and commandments.

First, he had a deep love for God's will. Second, David knew how to

contemplate the words of God. Through meditation on God's direc-

tions, David claimed that he grew in wisdom. Third, the shepherd-

king found that through obedience to the words of God, he could live

victoriously.

"If all would make the Bible their study, we should see a people

who were better developed, who were capable of thinking more

deeply, who would manifest greater intelligence than those who have

earnestly studied the sciences and histories of the world, apart from

the Bible. The Bible gives the true seeker for truth an advanced

mental discipline, and he comes from contemplation of divine things

with his faculties enriched; self is humbled, while God and his

revealed truth are exalted."—Bible

Echo and Signs of the Times,

October 1, 1892.

What benefits does Psalm 119:96-105 suggest are in store for

the diligent Bible student? Why does contemplation of God's

law have a positive influence on one's spiritual life? When is

this contemplation legalism, and when is it not? (See

The Desire

of Ages,

p. 172.)

Friday



January 5

FURTHER STUDY:

Read Genesis 32:22-26. Jacob provides a unique

model for those who wish to grow in their appreciation for God's

Word. For example, when he met God that night, he wrestled with

Him until morning. God said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking"

(RSV). But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me"

(RSV). Jacob provides us with a significant principle for both our

Christian living and our study of the sacred Text. There is no limit to

the number of questions you can ask of your Bible. And with consis-

tent application and careful understanding of the text itself, a number

of personal applications can be drawn. Perseverance is important for

us, just as it was for Jacob when he met God that dark night.

Read the introduction to

The Great Controversy

to explore how

the Bible was written. Read also

Fundamentals of Christian Edu-

cation,

pp. 450, 451, to discover the relationship of Bible study to

the education of youth.

In our Bible study, we must first find out what the text actually

says; next, we want to learn what it meant to those who lived in Bible

times; and finally, we want to make personal application for our own

spiritual growth.

Ellen White says that the Bible "is the bread of life and the water

of salvation to all who make it their study. What it means to be a

Christian can be understood only by a careful and prayerful study of

the Word of

God."—Manuscript Releases,

vol. 18, p. 145.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What goals do you have for personal Bible study?

What are the purposes of Bible study for the members of

your family or for your own devotions? How do you estab-

lish regular Bible study in your setting?

What must happen in your spiritual search in order for

you to find Bible study as fascinating and important as

noted in Proverbs 2:4, 5 and Psalm 119:96?

SUMMARY:

The divine-human encounter that resulted in the Word

of God provides a specific revelation of God's will for humanity.

Without it, we would find it difficult to interpret the purposes of God

in this world. Because we have God's revelation in written form, we

have a Word to follow that is "more sure" than the witness of our

own senses. With the written revelation, we have an objective text to

explore.

Global Missies

The Church's Challenge in Rwanda

J. J.

Nortey

The Adventist church in Rwanda is picking itself up and start-

ing to rebuild. But it must build far more than structures; it must

rebuild itsfaith—faith in God and in one another.

Rwanda claims that 95 percent of its population is Christian.

Adventists are the second-largest Protestant denomination, with

some 300,000 members. During the massive slaughter that con-

vulsed the country for several months in 1994, an estimated

10,000 Adventists lost their lives. Thousands more fled the rav-

aged country for refugee camps in neighboring Zaire.

Most Adventist believers in Rwanda are Hutus, the majority

tribe. But pockets of Tutsi members were virtually wiped out. In

one predominantly Tutsi area, where we had a hospital and mis-

sion, virtually every church worker was killed-100 pastors, hos-

pital workers, mission employees, all killed in one spot. One

report indicates that some 3,000 people were killed on the Mugonero

hospital grounds. Mass graves cover the ground. Some 2,500

ikely were killed in one church building where they had come for

refuge. This was the largest massacre in the entire country.

But now Rwandans are beginning to return home, to rebuild

their faith and their lives. On one Sabbath following the fighting I

visited four churches in Kigali and found them filled to overflow-

ing, with people standing outside. Two of these churches hold

500 to 600 people. At least 2,000 people were worshiping in the

largest church in Kigali.

Stories of heartbreak and heroism continue to surface. Two of

our pastors, who were away from home when the violence began,

lost their entire families. One man lost his wife and nine chil-

dren; the other pastor lost his wife, three children, and seven

grandchildren. The pastors were saved only because members of

the other tribe sheltered them at the risk of

their own lives.

I pray that our believers will put aside

tribal animosities and unite under the ban-

ner of Christ. We are not Hutu or Tutsi;

we are Christians, followers of the Man

who told us to "love one another."

J. J. Nortey is president of the Africa-

Indian Ocean Division of Seventh-day

Adventists.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 2



January 7-13

The Purpose of Bible Study

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Ps. 119:1-18; Matt. 4:1-11;

7:24-27; 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 8.

MEMORY TEXT: "The rain came down, the streams rose,

and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not

fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone

who hears these words of mine and does not put them into

practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand"

(Matthew 7:25, 26, NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

Among other things, the Bible challenges us

to discover God's will for our lives and to learn how to grow in grace

as we prepare for His soon-coming kingdom.

PREPARATION FOR BIBLE STUDY.

When people gather to

study the Word of God, they bring their personal problems, definite

spiritual challenges, and deep emotional needs to the task. Too often

we leave the exploration of Scripture to scholars. But should Bible

study be left only to those with special knowledge? The answer to

this question is found in the purpose of Bible study.

In order to be a careful interpreter of Scripture, there is one

primary challenge. We must seek to understand what God is saying

to us. This involves asking the right questions of the Bible text—

questions that the Holy Spirit brings to our minds as we study and

meditate upon particular passages. Thus we can find specific answers

for our individual needs.

Prayer for divine enlightenment is the first step. (See

The Great

Controversy,

p. 521.) As we speak and listen to God, our hearts are

prepared to understand His written Word.

Sunday



January 7

BUILDING OF STRONG FOOTINGS (Matt. 7:24-27; Rom. 2:13).

What are the results in people's lives of the learning that

involves both hearing and doing? Matt. 7:25-27. What does

obedience have to do with hearing God's Word? Rom. 2:13.

The story of the two builders who chose different building sites

provides the context for us to look at the types of hearers of God's

Word. There is a contrast here between those who hear and do

nothing and those who both hear and do. The people who practice

what they hear are called "wise." These people are not satisfied with

listening passively. They not only hear the call of God to repent and

to believe in Jesus; they both hear and do. They

actually

believe and

actually

repent. Those who do so find that their religion does not fail

them. When "storms" attack, there is safety and shelter. The Bible

challenges us to apply learning to every situation of life.

What causes people to feel that they cannot follow the instruc-

tion and counsel from God in Scripture? What other types of

hearers are there in the Bible? Matt. 13:1-13, 18-23. How many

of the hearers of Matthew 13 are active hearers, open to learn

about God's truth? What reasons are given for this commend-

able attitude?

The Bible suggests that people hear the Word of God in different

ways. The story of the soils presents us with a rural illustration.

Farmers regularly had to face the problem of making sure that the

seed planted fell on rich soil containing proper nutrients to make

growth possible. Too often we are impressed with the truth of God's

Word but fail to grow spiritually. Most of the hearers in Matthew 13

found all kinds of reasons not to respond to the teachings concerning

Jesus' kingdom. They allowed present problems, personal lethargy,

lack of individual commitment, and secular influences to choke the

gospel seed.

The challenge for Christians today is to understand that Bible

truths are designed to move us closer to the kingdom in our attitudes,

beliefs, and actions. The power of Bible seed lies in the power of the

Sower. Christ Himself is the Sower of the seed that is found in the

Bible.

What do the types of soil referred to in the parable of the

sower represent in your world? Give a practical application to

the attitudes depicted in the parable.

Monday



January 8

STUDY SYSTEMATICALLY (Acts 17:10-14).

"The Bible presents a perfect standard of character. This sacred

book, inspired by God, and written by holy men, is a perfect guide

under all circumstances of life. It sets forth distinctly the duties of

both young and old. If made the guide of life, its teachings will lead

the soul upward. It will elevate the mind, improve the character, and

give peace and joy to the

heart."—Messages to Young People,

p. 444.

The book of Acts gives special praise to the Bereans. Using the

chart below, identify what made these people unique. As you explore

Acts 17:10-14, write down their actions or attitudes and their results.

Description:

Action or Attitude:

Result:

The people of Berea.

Jewish leaders.

Haphazard study of the Word of God may very well be an insult to

the sanctity of the Bible. If we use the Bible as a means of occasion-

ally receiving a few inspirational morsels, eventually we will be

disappointed in the results. People who benefit most are those who

study the Bible diligently and eagerly seek God's will.

What methods would enrich your study of the Bible? How is

studying the Bible like being a good detective? Compare John

5:39 with Luke 24:27, 44.

Listed below are the steps in basic Bible study:

Observing—seeing

the basic facts contained in the passage

we are studying.

Asking—learning the kind of questions to ask of the text we

wish to examine and thereby discovering more information.

Interpreting—finding

out what the text actually means.

Cross-referencing—comparing

scripture with scripture, al-

lowing the Bible to be its own expositor.

Applying—making

life applications.

What other

processes have

you found to be helpful in under-

standing Scripture? Read your favorite passage in the Bible,

and apply the above five simple steps.

Tuesday



January 9

HEARING TO UNDERSTAND (Matt. 22:23-33).

What skills used in mastery of one's profession can come to

bear in learning to explore the Bible? What are the two reasons

stated in Matthew 22:23-33 that cause people to believe false

doctrine?

If we are to be disciples of Jesus, a certain commitment is neces-

sary. Men and women must learn to follow God in the deepest sense.

When we ask how people grow, we recognize that various nutrients

are necessary if any of us are to thrive. If we are to grow in any

secular sense, we must understand what nurtures us. For example,

perhaps someone in your congregation is a real-estate salesperson. In

order to represent correctly the client who wishes to purchase a

home, competence demands that the agent master the vocabulary,

process, laws, and formulas with which all must work in order to buy

or sell property. One would expect the "expert" in sales to be an

authority in all that constitutes competence.

Why not expect that same type of expertise in the Christian? The

source of power, information, values, and knowledge of the future is

revealed in Scripture. In order to explore this rich resource, Bible

study must take priority.

Jesus taught that study of the Scriptures provides a resource to

combat error in our lives. Matthew 22 shows that near the end of

Jesus' ministry, the Jewish leaders tried to trick Him with compli-

cated questions about their law. Answering one question, which the

Sadducees had designed to entrap Him, Jesus emphasized the impor-

tance of Scripture as the model of truth.

"The Old and the New Testament Scriptures need to be studied

daily. The knowledge of God and the wisdom of God come to the

student who is a constant learner of His ways and works."

"Bible reading, the critical examination of Bible subjects, essays

written upon topics which would improve the mind and impart knowl-

edge, the study of the prophecies or the precious lessons of Christ—

these will have an influence to strengthen the mental powers and

increase spirituality. A familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures

sharpens the discerning powers, and fortifies the soul against the

attacks of

Satan."—Messages

to Young

People,

pp. 189, 397.

How many times have you determined that you should study

the Bible but have found that your busy schedule interferes

with your best intentions? What must you do with your priori-

ties to focus anew on personal Bible study? What is the best

time of day for you to spend with God's Word?

Wednesday



January 10

STUDY FOR LIFE APPLICATION (Matt. 28:18-20).

Even though understanding the meaning of the text is important,

another goal of personal Bible study is

application.

Our final purpose

of study must be the practical application of biblical principles to our

daily living.

Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist, asserted that the Bible was

given, not to increase our knowledge, "but to change our lives." The

Bible's purpose is to make us

very

different people. It can mold our

characters, enabling us to conform in lifestyle to the ultimate model

of love and grace, Jesus Christ. When we recognize this purpose, we

are better equipped to fulfill Jesus' great commission to win others

for His kingdom.

Often we study to find proof for our own positions. Our motiva-

tion in this may not be deeply Christian. The Bible is not a club to be

used to correct others, even though through our study we may come

to know Bible truth and stand corrected. Nor should the Bible be

used solely as a means of formulating theological propositions, even

though it contains many gems of truth that can be categorized. We do

not study the Bible to impress others with our knowledge. We study

to find direction and purpose from God, as well as to learn God's

plans for the world. This means that Bible study must involve not

only deep, accurate scholarship, but it must move us to live balanced,

practical Christian lives.

Ask yourself, Which of my attitudes should be changed by

Bible study? What do I need to begin to do or to stop doing if my

Bible study is to be practical? In what ministry for others should

my study of Scripture motivate me to engage?

Look at the gospel commission found in Matthew 28:19, 20,

and complete the following exercise:

I . List all the action words found in the passage.

2. How do you do the things implied by the action words in the

passage?

There are multiple purposes for the study of Scripture: to under-

stand what the text actually says; to see how it informed the early

church or the people of the Old Testament; to understand how it

informs the life of the church; to grasp how it instructs and empowers

the individual who is struggling with life's problems. "We must

search the Scriptures . . . which will enrich the mind, and fortify the

soul against the wiles and temptations of the archdeceiver."—Coun-

sels

on Sabbath School Work,

p. 19.

Thursday



January 11

DEFENSE AGAINST FALSEHOOD (Matt. 25:1-13).

In these last days of earth's history, the Bible provides insight into

correct thinking and living. "There are practical lessons in the Word

of God. . . . That Word teaches living, holy principles, which prompt

men to do unto others as they would have others do unto them."

—The Upward Look,

p. 215.

The parable of the 10 virgins focuses on faithfulness and wisdom

by contrast with carelessness and foolishness. The emphasis is on

preparation. At the end of earth's history, we will meet God with or

without the Holy Spirit in charge of our lives—we will be either wise

or foolish.

What preparation can the Christian make in order to be ready

for Christ's return? Matt. 25:1-13.

All the bridesmaids had lamps containing oil. But the wise brides-

maids had thought to bring flasks containing extra oil. The foolish

ones had no reserves. In making a practical, personal application of

this passage, one might ask the following questions:

What is the major issue in the story?

Contrast the wise with the foolish bridesmaids. Why are they

different?

Is the moral of this story perseverance in the faith, or is it the

accumulation of spiritual reserves?

"Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is

more than a match for the hosts of darkness, and that, should he

reveal himself openly, he would be met and resisted. Therefore he

seeks to draw away the soldiers of the -cross from their strong fortifi-

cation, while he lies in ambush with his forces, ready to destroy all

who venture upon his ground. No man is safe for a day or an hour

without prayer. Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to

understand his word. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing

his own interpretation upon passages by which he hopes to cause us

to stumble. We should study the Bible with humility of heart, never

losing sight of our dependence upon God. While we must constantly

guard against the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith continu-

ally, 'Lead us not into temptation.'

"—Spirit

Prophecy, 'vol.

p. 350.

How does Bible study qualify us to distinguish between truth

and error? What makes us sure that we have a correct under-

standing of Scripture? What is the Holy Spirit's part in this?

Friday



January 12

FURTHER STUDY:

The many parables and stories of Christ's life

teach us that when we trust God, we can withstand the attacks of the

devil. Christ relied on the study of the Scriptures (Old Testament) in

order to gain spiritual victory. How many instances can you remem-

ber in which Jesus allowed God's Word to direct His actions? Read

Matthew 4:1-11. What model of overcoming does this story suggest?

Study these passages to see the importance of Bible study for your

spiritual growth:

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,

pp. 166, 167;

My We Today,

p. 62.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Do you agree with the following assessment? Explain your

answer. "It's quite clear from the Bible itself that God is

not concerned merely with our knowing about his people,

or even, about him. In fact, we might go so far as to say

that the Bible writers were not interested in knowledge for

the sake of knowledge . .. they were much more concerned

about living."—John F. Balchin, David H. Field, Tremper

Longmann III, eds.,

The Complete Bible Study Tool Kit

(Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1991), p. 73.

What is the result when the people of God fail to under-

stand the Bible for themselves?

What do you believe is the root cause of failure to study the

Bible on a regular basis?

How would you summarize the practical lessons we can

learn from Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness?

What is the purpose of your Bible study? What is the

purpose of Bible study for your family? Do these purposes

differ? If so, how?

What are some of the challenges we face in developing a

systematic plan for Bible study?

SUMMARY:

The purpose of Bible study includes both systematic

discovery of God's will and application of biblical principles for our

spiritual growth and development. This twofold process of under-

standing and application provides the basis for Christian living. God

needs individuals who are committed to personal study, discovery,

and application to life.

Global Mission

Chung, Hyun Hee

J. H. Zachary

"I cannot stop talking about Jesus!" says Chung Hyun Hee.

Mrs. Chung wanted to follow God's will, but was confused by

so many denominations. One day as she prayed for guidance, a

knock at the door interrupted her prayer. Opening the door, she

found several people standing there—Adventists who had come

to invite her to church. Mrs. Chung attended their church, but

hesitated to join the Adventist Church.

However, she felt no peace; her life seemed empty and mean-

ingless. One night, feeling she had reached a new low point, she

confessed her sins and promised to follow the Lord wherever He

led. At dawn she went to the Adventist church to pray. There she

found assurance that God had accepted her. She began attending

the Adventist church regularly, and was baptized in May 1993.

Her one goal became to share Jesus with others. She started

giving Bible studies to a neighbor couple. What a joy she felt

when these friends were baptized!

But her greatest burdens were for her husband and her mother.

Her husband never attended church and had some unhealthful

habits. She prayed for him, and God answered her prayers. Her

husband is now a faithful Christian.

Her mother, a Jehovah's Witness, resisted her daughter's invi-

tations to study the Bible. Finally she joined a Revelation Semi-

nar, but she seemed cold and distant. Mrs. Chung begged God to

touch her heart. Her joy knew no bounds when her mother ac-

cepted God's call and was baptized last year—along with two of

her friends.

Mrs. Chung's mother is now an active soulwinner. Because

her husband owns several businesses, she has friends among the

affluent people in her community. She conducts several Bible

studies, cooking classes in her home, and regular Revelation

Seminars. Her motto is "To work for souls until Jesus comes."

She has won 17 persons to the Lord in the

first year since her baptism.

James Zachary is an associate director of

the Ministerial Association of the General

Conference.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 3



January 14-20

Learning to Interpret

the Bible Text

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: 2 Tim. 2:14, 15; Luke

18:18-27; 1 Sam. 8:1-9.

MEMORY TEXT: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing

the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

KEY THOUGHT:

To know the will of God for their lives and to

be equipped for service, Christians must spend time studying their

Bibles. The challenge is to interpret correctly a text that was written

so long ago in the "then and there" and to see its relevance to the

"here and now."

WHY DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO STUDY?

When you

open your Bible, you are immediately struck with the varied styles in

which God's written revelation is presented. There are history les-

sons and poetry, laws and psalms, Gospels and epistles (letters),

direct teaching and hundreds of illustrations. The Bible comes to us

through the various forms (genres) chosen by the inspired writers to

frame God's message to us. To understand Scripture, we must spend

time sorting out the styles in which God's counsel to us is presented.

For example, we need to know how

we can understand

a piece of

poetry, a psalm, or a message of praise directed

to God

by a writer in

antiquity. We need to understand how the cultural circumstances in

which the Bible authors wrote are reflected in the language and

images they used to express God's thoughts. We will be rewarded as

we recognize the relevance for us of truth written so long ago.

Sunday



January 14

LEARNING WHAT THE TEXT SAYS (Luke 18:18-27).

When we want to discover what a text says, we use a process

called "exegesis." This is carefully organized study of a Bible pas-

sage to find out what the text meant in the original setting and what it

means to us. We first seek to discover what the text meant to those

who originally heard it.

Read Luke 18:18-27, and answer the following logical ques-

tions:

What question does the ruler ask?

What answers does Jesus give?

What does Jesus mean when He says, "How hard it is for

the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier

for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich

man to enter the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:24, 25, NIV)?

We begin interpreting

after

reading the whole text. Next, we ask

what the text says. For example, in our passage under study today,

we note that Jesus presents an impossibility for us to consider. "How

hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God." He concludes that

a camel can enter the eye of a needle easier than a rich person can

enter heaven. It is said that there was a gate in Jerusalem called the

"Needle's Eye," which animals could enter only by crouching down

and sliding through. The earliest evidence for this idea comes from

an eleventh-century commentary by a Greek churchman named

Theophylact, who had trouble understanding the text as it read. But

the text

does

state the impossible. Jesus' point is that it is

impossible

for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is impossible for

those who give priority to riches to have access to the kingdom of

heaven (Mark 10:24). It is impossible, except for God, who can

change the human heart. A materialistic woridview is incompatible

with a Spirit-filled life.

Learning to read and to think about the text is the first step in

understanding it. The next step is to ask good questions about the

text. There are two kinds of questions we can ask: (1) Those that

relate to the

context

(the setting of a passage in the biblical account)

and (2) those that relate to the

content.

We should also discover the

"occasion" or purpose for the text.

List three other questions you would like to ask the text for

today's study (Luke 18:18-27). Make sure you ask questions

about the

context

and the

content

of the passage.

Monday



January 15

THE HISTORICAL SETTING OF A PASSAGE (1 Sam. 8:1-9).

Let's begin by asking the first kind of question that we discovered

in the previous daily lesson topic. What is the context of 1 Samuel

8:1-9?

There are various contexts out of which Bible writers inform us of

God's will. First, there is the actual

historical setting

in which the

Bible passage was written.

To understand this setting of a text, we must first try to discover

the time when the text was written and the culture and society out of

which the story arose. For example, 1 Samuel 8:1-9 is set at the time

when Israel wanted a king. The surrounding countries all had mon-

archs who ruled them. The children of Israel pressed Samuel to

appoint for them a ruler who would give them standing with other

nations and fight their battles for them.

"A great deal of research into the nature of kingship has been

carried out in recent years. It is now recognized that in the ancient

world generally, kingship was sacral—a sacred, cultic office as well

as a political position. The king was, in fact, universally acknowl-

edged as a mediator between god(s) and people. This inevitably led

to his being considered at least a semidivine person. In Egypt, in-

deed, the king was accorded full divine honors; he was a god in

human form. In Babylonia, on the other hand, the king was recog-

nized as a human being, elevated to near-divine status. . . . Despite

the differences, in both areas the king was pivotal in the cultic beliefs

and practices. No doubt the Canaanites followed a similar pattern; in

the Ras Shamrah tablets the Canaanite king Keret (Kirta, Kirtu) is

styled both the 'servant of [the deity] El' and the 'son of El.'. . . It is

specifically stated in 1 S. 8:5 that when the Israelites felt they should

have a king, they were influenced by the practices of neighboring

peoples."—D. F. Payne,

The International Standard Bible Encyclo-

pedia

(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1986), vol. 3, p. 21.

Historical information helps us to understand what the text

said to those who read it. What do you think it would have been

like living without a king in the time of the prophets?

Books that assist us in determining the historical setting of a

passage include: Bible commentaries, dictionaries, encyclopedias,

concordances, and introductions to the Old and New Testaments.

Some Bibles have introductions to each book that give helpful back-

ground information.

Tuesday



January 16

LEARNING HOW TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS (1 Cor.

2:14-3:4).

Learning to ask the right questions is crucial. A learned professor

of theology grew up with his mother and father asking him each

evening before mealtime what he had learned in school that day.

When the professor became an adult and had his own family, he

decided this question was inappropriate because it encouraged chil-

dren to respond simply, "Oh, nothing." Instead, he decided to ask his

children, "What good questions did you ask today?" This allowed

them to develop analytical thinking skills that would help them

understand their world. There is a high correlation between spiritual

maturity and the ability to think logically about one's faith.

Adventist youth are sometimes critical of the church because they

sense a lack of openness to question and to analytical thinking. But

we know that a strong thinking climate is correlated positively with a

warm church climate. Most members want to be challenged to think

about religious issues and ideas, and they want to examine their faith

carefully in order to learn and to grow in understanding. Learning to

ask deep, thoughtful questions helps in this process.

After reading 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4, write out two ques-

tions, the answers to which would help you understand the pas-

sage.

Question 1:



Question 2:



Here are some suggested questions about the passage that,

when answered, will help you to understand it:

To what four types of people does Paul introduce us in this

passage?

What kind of understanding is "spiritual" understanding?

Can infants in Christ instantly become spiritual by asking the

Spirit to fill them? What of the "solid" food that is required of

mature Christians?

Can we be spiritually disabled? If so, how?

Wednesday



January 17

LEARNING TO USE THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT (John 3:1-

21).

Another step in understanding Scripture is to become sensitive to

the immediate context, the setting of the passage in the scriptural

material. This concern may not appear to be much of a problem for

some texts. For example, passages like the following seem quite

clear: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom.

3:23, NIV); "Live by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16, NIV). But even simple

passages can be understood more clearly if we become sensitive to

immediate context. Here the tools for Bible study can become impor-

tant.

Read several times the verses in front of and after the passage

being studied to grasp the immediate setting or context.

Using John 3 as the basis for your study today, ask the follow-

ing contextual questions about the passage. If you don't know

the answers, use one of your reference tools to help you under-

stand:

What was the occasion of the story?

Who was the man coming to Jesus at night? What did he think

of Jesus? What questions did he ask, and why did he want to

know the answers? What were his concerns? What was he

failing to recognize?

What attitude did Jesus show toward the questioner?

What are the logical sections in the story?

What is the main point of the story? (John 3:16). Why is this

an answer to the question of new birth?

Some principles that help us to understand the "context" of a

Bible passage are as follows:

Always try to discover what the historical and cultural setting

of the text was.

Learn to think in paragraphs. These are natural units of thought.

You need to understand the content of the paragraph and why

this particular thing is said at this particular time and place.

See whether the context supports your understanding of the

passage.

Notice the literary style of the passage—poetry, history, psalm,

parable, prophecy, etc. How does this help your understanding

of the passage?

Exercise in context: read Romans 10:4 in various transla-

tions. How does the context (Rom. 9:30-10:10) help us to

understand this passage?

Thursday



January 18

TOOLS FOR BIBLE STUDY (1 Sam. 8:16; 1 Cor. 11:29).

The Bible was originally written in three different languages:

Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. While most of the Old Testament was

written in Hebrew and a small portion in Aramaic, all of the New

Testament was written in Greek. Most of us do not know these

languages, and so we must rely upon someone else's translation of

the original. To some extent, reading a translation is like reading an

interpretation, and that is not all bad in itself.

Using only one translation has the disadvantage that one's under-

standing of God's Word is limited to the meanings in that one

translation. The version you are using may translate some passages

well but others less well. That is why using more than one translation

may be a great help in understanding the Bible. Of course, you must

select

quality

translations.

If you have them available, use a number of translations to

compare important Bible passages, such as Genesis 1:1-10, John 3:16,

and Revelation 14:1-5, and the two texts listed above, 1 Samuel 8:16

and 1 Corinthians 11:29. We suggest that English readers use the

New International Version (NIV), the Revised Standard Version

(RSV), the King James Version (KJV), and the New King James

Version (NKJV) as examples. Note that the message is clearer in

some translations than in others.

Discuss the relative benefits of using a newer translation. Note

that scholarship often has improved over the years and that more

modern Bibles contain more accurate information based on his-

torical and archaeological research.

Some rules for selecting a good translation:

Pick a translation rather than a paraphrase.

Translations

reflect the original text and are more accurate representations

of the actual language.

Avoid translations that present a prejudiced viewpoint.

Some translations present a denominational bias rather than

reliance on original manuscripts.

Try to use a version prepared by a committee.

Such ver-

sions are usually less biased and more faithful to the original.

A more literal translation is useful for serious study.

Try to use a Bible that involves the latest scholarship.

This

will give you information that older versions do not have. For

example, the Dead Sea Scrolls material was discovered in the

late 1940s, and only versions that were published after that

date make use of this early biblical material.

Use a Bible that nurtures your spiritual life.

For devotional

purposes, one can use a modern translation that is easy to read.

Friday



January 19

FURTHER STUDY:

There are many New Testament stories that

provide spiritual insight concerning the nature of God's kingdom but

are best understood when they are seen in their Middle Eastern

context. For example, the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector in

Luke 19:1-9. To understand this passage, it is useful to learn about

the tax collector's profession in New Testament times. In addition, to

understand the story itself, it is necessary to see the double meaning

in verse 9. Salvation refers both to Jesus in person and to the experi-

ence Zacchaeus was to have that would change his behavior.

It is also important to note that this story occurred near the end of

Jesus' ministry. What stories precede and follow it? The next part in

the story is Jesus' ascent to Jerusalem, where His ministry ended

when He provided for the salvation of the whole world by dying on

the cross.

If you have a Bible commentary and dictionary, look up the

following terms:

tax collector, Jericho, salvation.

Try to under-

stand Zacchaeus better after learning about these terms.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How can the cultural issues of the first century (i.e., politi-

cal groups, Sabbath laws, rabbinical practices, etc.) influ-

ence one's understanding of a text?

How does understanding the geography of the Bible times

improve our understanding of a text?

What was going on in Corinth that caused Paul to write to

the church in this city? What was going on in Rome that

led Paul to write the Epistle to the Romans? How does

knowing these things enhance our understanding of Paul's

letters to Corinth and Rome?

Why do God's messages to first-century Christians have

definite relevance to you?

SUMMARY:

A contextual approach to Bible passages we are en-

deavoring to understand involves: (1) seeking an understanding of

the cultural setting in which the passage was written; (2) considering

the larger context of the passage within the book in which it occurs;

(3) determining the true meaning of a passage in its immediate

context; (4) learning something of the mood of a passage or a book.

By thinking about the context of a passage under study, we catch a

glimpse of the feelings and motivations of the biblical authors or

characters.

Breakthrough in Pakistan

Reinder Bruinsma and Andrea Steele

More than 100 new Adventists were baptized in Karachi, Paki-

stan, on a single Sabbath last year. Most of the new believers

traced their new faith to evangelistic meetings held in several

towns and villages near Karachi. Local pastors followed up the

interests of the evangelistic meetings and prepared the candidates

for baptism. The group gathered at the open-air baptistry behind

Karachi Adventist Hospital to witness their faith.

In a country in which 98 percent of the population is Muslim,

the 100 baptisms represent a significant increase in membership.

Since 1985 the church in Pakisitan has doubled in size, from 5,000

to 10,000 members.

Public evangelism in Pakistan is restricted to the "Christian"

community, which comprises only two to three percent of the total

population. Many of these nominal Christians live in the poorest

areas of Pakistan. Plans are being laid to reach as many of these

areas as possible through evangelism.

One pastor who joined in the baptismal celebration was Dr.

Borge Schantz, director of the Islamic Institute, located on the

campus of Newbold College. He had held an evangelistic series in

Thatta, a town a few hours' drive from Karachi, and several of the

new believers had come from that effort. Dr. Schantz was in

Pakistan to prepare for another evangelistic series.

Recently Adventist World Radio has begun broadcasting one

hour a day in Urdu, the official language of Pakistan. Programs

are produced in the Pakistan Union offices in Lahore.

Studies by the British Broadcasting Company indicate that

nearly half of all households in Pakistan have a radio, and most of

these have short-wave capabilities. The study also indicates that

radio owners in villages tend to share their radios with neighbors

and friends. This, coupled with a low literacy rate in the country,

makes radio the communication medium of choice for evange-

lism.

Reinder Bruinsma is communication director for the

Trans-European Division. Andrea Steele is public relations

director for Adventist World Radio.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 4



January 21-27

Discovery Through Study,

Prayer, and Meditation

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Psalms 1; 86; 119:1-24;

2 Tim. 2:7.

MEMORY TEXT: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful

things in your law" (Psalm 119:18, NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

Often as we work to learn the original situa-

tion and meaning of a text, we forget that the deepest understanding

comes as a gift from God. We are not finished with our study until we

have received a blessing from God and personal direction for our

lives. Therefore, we must immerse ourselves not only in the text of

the Bible but in meditation and prayer. Only then can we receive the

insights needed to apply Scripture to specific areas of our lives.

WHY WE NEED PRAYER AND MEDITATION.

"Those who

will put on the whole armor of God and devote some time every day

to meditation and prayer and to the study of the Scriptures will be

connected with heaven and will have a saving, transforming influ-

ence upon those around them. Great thoughts, noble aspirations,

clear perceptions of truth and duty to God, will be theirs. They will

be yearning for purity, for light, for love, for all the graces of

heavenly birth. . . .

"Abstract meditation is not enough; busy action is not enough;

both are essential to the formation of Christian

character."—Testimo-

nies for the Church,

vol. 5, pp. 112, 113.

"Let the student keep his Bible always with him and, as he has

opportunity, read a text and meditate upon

it."—Counsels to Parents,

Teachers, and Students,

p. 463.

Sunday



January 21

PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY (Psalms 1; 119:1-24).

The Bible writers seem to have thrived on deep meditation on the

words of the Bible. For David the shepherd-king, meditation was a

regular practice (Ps. 1:1, 2). "Oh, how I love your law! I

meditate

it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for

they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I

meditate

on your statutes" (Ps. 119:97-99, NIV).

The text implies significant time commitment to the process of

prayer and meditation ("all day long"). If we are to receive the

biblical blessing of wisdom and insight as the psalm suggests, we

must begin to make considerable changes in our commitment to

prayer and meditation.

What does 2 Timothy 2:7 suggest about the process of receiv-

ing insight into God's will? How does thinking over what God

says help us to understand His will for our lives?

What happens when we think about what we read in the Bible?

First, as we begin to examine our lives, the problems and challenges

become clearer. This process allows the Word of God to make sense

for us. We can find answers to those areas of our lives that need

special help. Next, we can ask how the particular Bible truth we are

examining affects our relationship with God. How does the Bible

information make a difference in our lives?

Here is a personal meditation exercise:

Read Psalm 119:1-24 a few times. Ask yourself what direction

the text suggests for your life.

What information about God does this text suggest?

Think how following the counsel in this passage might change

your life or behavior.

What insights did you receive into your life's needs? Finish

the sentence "This text shows me that . . ."

Memorize passages that are helpful to your spiritual life. (See

Counsels on Sabbath School Work,

p. 42.)

"God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He

desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonder-

ful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer

will be our perception of truth, higher, holier our desire for purity of

heart and clearness of thought."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 60.

Is meditation only one-way communication? How does God

communicate with us through this process?

Monday



January 22

PRAYER AND INSIGHT (Ps. 119:18).

Understanding the meaning of a Bible passage requires prayer.

"Take the Bible as a study book, and see if you are not filled with the

love of God. Your heart may be barren, your intellect feeble; but if

you will prayerfully study the word of God, light will flash into your

mind."—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,

pp. 455, 456.

Without fellowship with God, our thinking may make us worldly-

minded secularists, skeptics, or atheists. We must learn to study the

Bible prayerfully. One purpose of prayer is to open us up to God's

direction. Prayer prepares our hearts for further dialogue with, and

insight from, God.

What does Psalm 119:18 suggest will happen when we begin to

include God in our study?

It is said, "Application begins on our knees." Prayer, in relation to

Bible study, enables us to see a natural connection between God's

Word and our quest for direction and growth in Christ:

As we pray, we come to recognize the distance we are from

God. Our prayers begin to focus on those things we must learn

and do. Thus our appreciation of God's gift of grace is en-

hanced. (See Ps. 34:4-7.)

As we look at our problems, God helps us to see alternatives

and provides strength to overcome in those areas of our lives

in which His gifts are indispensable. (See Isa. 46:4; Jer. 1:8;

2 Cor. 1:9, 10.)

We ask God to show us our hardness and rebellion and to

change us. (See Ps. 139:23, 24.)

Another function of prayer is to return to God praise for His

goodness and love to us (Ps. 106:1, 2). Prayer is an act of worship.

Thoughtful prayer is the beginning of the meditation that leads to

spiritual growth.

"The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy

Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy

to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of

comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the

heart so to comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its

beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened

by its

promises."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work,

pp. 38, 39.

Deep meditation helps our faith development. God invites us all to

experience trust and fellowship and to meet Him at special moments

during the day. Meditation helps us to meet God in a personal way.

Tuesday



January 23

ILLUSTRATIONS OF MEDITATION (Dan. 9:1-23).

Scripture speaks of many people who found insight into God's

will through proper meditation. Christian meditation prepares the

believer to participate in Christ's ministry of saving souls. Unchris-

tian meditation evacuates the mind of God-inspired thought and

makes it a slave to the destroyer of souls.

Looking at the context of Daniel 9, we discover four major in-

sights: (1) Daniel had repeated visions of the rise and fall of nations

and of the sufferings of God's people (Daniel 7, 8); (2) Daniel had

been told of delay in God's action against evil in the world (2300

days of

years; Dan. 8:14); (3) Daniel was concerned about this delay.

He attempted to understand God's will for His people as outlined in

the prophecy (Dan. 8:27); (4) the 70 years of Israel's exile were

nearly over (Dan. 9:1, 2). Now Daniel turned to prayer, meditation,

information, insight, and relief.

Read Daniel 9:1-19, and note how many times he talks about

understanding, insight, and prayer. What answers did God

give

in response to Daniel's persistence? Dan. 9:20-24.

The history of the church provides numerous case studies of the

power of prayer and meditation. One example is John Woolman, an

eighteenth-century Quaker, who through the study of the Bible be-

came convinced of the evils of slavery. His prayer and meditation on

the Word of God convinced him never to own slaves. Through his

devotion to Scripture, he became convicted of many biblical truths.

Another deeply spiritual person is John Stott, the rector emeritus

of All Souls Church in London. Along with such spiritual giants as

H. M. S. Richards, Sr., in our own denomination, Dr. Stott provides a

contemporary model. Stott tells of doing as much of his sermon

preparation as possible on his knees with his Bible open before him.

He prays as he studies. He explains that this is not because he

worships the Bible, but because he worships the God of the Bible, and

he desires to humble himself before Him and His revelation. While he

is studying the text of Scripture, he is praying earnestly that his mind

will be enlightened with divine insights. (See John Stott,

Between Two

Worlds

[Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1982], p. 222.)

Can you recall times

when thoughtful prayer and meditation

on the Word of God have helped your church, your family, or

you personally? Identify other Bible characters who thrived

spiritually through prayer and meditation.

Wednesday



January 24

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GROWTH (Psalms 66:18,19; 90).

One of the Holy Spirit's functions in our lives is to guide us. God

wishes us to know His will and promises us wisdom when we ask

(James 1:5, 6). An additional function of the Holy Spirit is to convict

us to do right and to avoid wrong (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit

prepares and enlightens us and makes us open to what God is saying

to us through the Bible.

As we begin to open our minds to God's messages in the Bible,

our manner of thinking is changed. Now that the Spirit is directing

us, we begin to see the world and others in an entirely different light.

Perhaps you have observed someone who has been struggling with

life's problems become changed through the power of the Holy

Spirit. A critical person is now gentle and sensitive; a rude person is

now courteous and tactful, a selfish person is now able to place

others first. This results from the power of the Spirit fulfilling the

promise in John 3: "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its

sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" (John 3:8, NIV). Positive

spiritual results indicate the Spirit's presence in our lives.

According to Psalm 66:18, 19, what do we need in order to be

prepared to receive God? How do we know that the Spirit of God

is present in our lives? Rom. 8:16; 1 John 3:24; 4:12, 13; 5:10.

List ways in which the church might show evidence of the power

of the Spirit of God in its midst.

"The diligent, humble student, seeking by earnest prayer and

study for the truth as it is in Jesus, will most assuredly be rewarded.

He seeks for help, not from ideas of human writers, but from the

Fountain of wisdom and knowledge; and under the guidance of holy

intelligences he gains a clear understanding of truth."—Gospel

Workers,

p. 251.

Study Psalm 90, and reflect on the following questions to

personalize the passage:

What actions of God are found in this passage?

What happens to us in God's presence?

What qualities can be developed by communion with God?

What understanding of God can we develop through fellow-

ship with Him?

Thursday



January 25

DISCOVERING TRUTH (Matt. 11:25, 26; John 7:17).

Not only do Christians need to pray and meditate on the Word of

God; they must be actively involved in the pursuit of truth. While

prayer and meditation prepare our hearts to receive the blessings

from God's treasure store, there must also be a commitment to

discover truth. We must make personal decisions about the impor-

tance of God's Word in our lives, and we must take the necessary

steps toward an understanding of Scripture.

There are some steps that the Bible suggests are important in this

process:

We must approach the Bible with an open, teachable mind.

(See Matt. 11:25, 26.) Jesus says that some things have been

hidden from sophisticated learners. He upheld the model of

the childlike learner to illustrate the appropriate attitude in

Bible study.

We must invite the Holy Spirit to actively assist our efforts to

gain insights into God's will. (See John 16:13.)

We must be willing to live consistently with what we learn in

God's Word. This learning involves vital discovery of His

will for our lives. (See John 7:17.)

Jesus urged that one way to learn about prayer is to pray without

ceasing. (See Matt. 26:41; 1 Thess. 5:17.) Many people would rather

discuss the theory or theology of prayer than attempt to engage in it.

But Jesus taught that one way to learn about prayer is to immerse

oneself in it. The same is true for Bible study. We learn about study

only by trying it; we learn about the power of Christ only by living a

Christ-filled life.

"How shall we search the Scriptures in order to understand what

they teach? We should come to the investigation of God's word with

a contrite heart, a teachable and prayerful spirit. We are not to think,

as did the Jews, that our own ideas and opinions are infallible. . . . We

should not study the Bible for the purpose of sustaining our precon-

ceived opinions, but with the single object of learning what God has

said."—Testimonies to Ministers,

p. 105.

List the attitudes that should accompany the study of God's

Word. Being aware of your fallen human nature, think about

the hindrances that obscure your seeing and doing what God

shows you in Scripture. What are some things that you need to

do to discover God's truth for yourself? How willing are you to

surrender your own preconceived ideas regarding the teach-

ings of God's Word? (See Prov. 2:3-7; 14:12; John 17:17.)

Friday



January 26

FURTHER STUDY:

A close reliance on God's revelation regarding

Himself and conformity to the commands of His Word exemplified

by Old and New Testament characters provide us the means of

success in our religious lives. Study Hebrews 11. Look closely at the

following individuals, and explore the reasons for their spiritual

success: Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, and Joseph. How did each

of these characters relate to God? What attitudes helped them dis-

cover truth and learn God's will for their lives?

Read "The Call of Abraham" and "Joseph in Egypt" in

Patri-

archs and Prophets,

pp. 125-131; 213-223; "John Wycliffe" in

The Great Controversy,

pp. 79-96.

"The character of Wycliffe is a testimony to the educating, trans-

forming power of the Holy Scriptures. It was the Bible that made him

what he was. The effort to grasp the great truths of revelation imparts

freshness and vigor to all the faculties. It expands the mind, sharpens

the perceptions, and ripens the judgment. The study of the Bible will

ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration as no other study can.

It gives stability of purpose, patience, courage, and fortitude; it

refines the character and sanctifies the soul."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

p. 94.

"The Bible is like a fountain. The more you look into it, the deeper

it appears. The grand truths of sacred history possess amazing strength

and beauty, and are as far-reaching as eternity. No science is equal to

the science that reveals the character of

God."—Fundamentals of

Christian Education,

p. 393.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Does all truth lead us closer to Jesus? Explain.

What do you believe is involved in changing your view-

point? How does a deep study of God's Word assist you in

this process?

What characteristics possessed by the people mentioned in

Hebrews 11 do many contemporary Christians lack? Which

do you find lacking in your own life?

What is more important, being right or being loving? Is

either, one indispensable?

SUMMARY:

The Holy Spirit enables us to discover truth in the

Scriptures as we pray, meditate, and study. God wishes us to be

committed to these spiritual disciplines as part of living by faith in

Him.

Global A

UasIN

A God Stronger Than Idols-1

Sven H. Jensen

Biel and Majiok are Sudanese young men who have a burden to

share the Adventist message with the people of their home town,

many of whom are idol worshipers. They returned to their village

of Waat in southern Sudan and began contacting the few Adventists

living there. They organized the group and began building a simple

church. Next the group laid plans for sharing the Adventist mes-

sage with the local population.

One day Biel and Majiok found a sick man resting outside their

home. They asked how they could help him and offered to visit

him. The man gladly told them where his

toukel

[home] was.

The two young men visited the sick man. As their eyes became

accustomed to the darkness, they noticed five idols placed in a

corner of the room. The idol gods were made from decorated

gourds, and each had a name: Kuoth Kier the river god, Koltok the

god in the tree, Biel the stone god, Kolang the god in the gourd,

and Garang, the powerful god of the heavens. These gods had

been in the man's family for generations; they were venerated

with sacrifices and used for fortune telling. The man feared the

powerful spirits that inhabited the idols, for he believed they could

bring disaster upon the family if their needs were not satisfied.

Garang, the god of heaven, demanded the head of a cow on a stake

for his sacrifice.

Biel and Majiok smiled, opened their New Testament, and read

of another God--the God who knew their names and who wanted

only their love, not animal sacrifices. The sick man and his family

listened attentively. Gatwich, the sick man's brother-in-law, was

grateful that these two men had come to visit his sister's husband

and bring the family hope.

Biel and Majiok returned often and soon began studying the

Bible with this family. Nyatuach, the man's wife, was especially

interested. Slowly she began to give up her traditional beliefs. But

before she had surrendered her life to Jesus, her husband died. Her

mind was in a turmoil. According to custom, she must call the

relatives together and sacrifice a bull. Then her husband's prop-

erty could be divided, and she would be given to one of her

husband's brothers. She hesitated to follow this tradition, but she

knew that she would be accused of wrongdoing if she did not

follow traditions to honor her late husband. What could she do?

Sven

H. Jensen is the director of church ministries for the

Middle East Union.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 5



January 28—February 3

Understanding Types

of Bible Literature

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Mark 4:10-12; Matthew

24.

MEMORY TEXT: "You were taught, with regard to your

former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being

corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the

attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to

be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians

4:22-24, NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

God has revealed Himself in the Bible through

various kinds of literature. In order to understand and to apply God's

messages, we need to know something about these kinds of literature.

LEARNING ABOUT BIBLE LITERATURE.

The sacred text

contains many kinds of material or types of writing. Sometimes the

Bible gives us insight into the history of God's people. At other times

it presents commands and laws. Many times, in the inspirational

words of the Old Testament poets, God's character comes to us in

beautiful words of symbol and praise. At other times the purpose of

the Bible words is direct spiritual instruction. Divine counsel may be

prophetic in nature and may seem somewhat obscure or hidden. At

other times this counsel is in the form of letters to a blossoming

young church learning to face the challenges of spiritual growth in

the face of cultural pressures, doctrinal divisions, and the need to

prepare for the Lord's coming.

This week we will explore four types of literature in God's Word

and learn how better to understand and apply the text to our own

situations. We will look at parables, poetry, prophecy, and history.

Sunday



January 28

PARABLES—DO YOU GET THE POINT? (Luke 10:25-37).

Why did Jesus teach in parables? Mark 4:10-12; Matt. 13:10-

13; Luke 8:9, 10.

The Greek word translated "parable"

(parabole,

Mark 4:10) means

"comparison," "type," "figure." A New Testament parable is a short

discourse designed to illustrate spiritual truth by comparison with the

known world. A parable is something that is placed alongside some-

thing else for the purpose of comparison and edification. Jesus taught

in parables because spiritual things are "spiritually discerned"

(1 Cor. 2:14). God gave genuine seekers for truth an understanding

of Jesus' parables. Others "on the outside" (Mark 4:11, NIV) could

not understand, because they did not submit to the teaching ministry

of the Holy Spirit. Parables enable Spirit-directed Bible students to

understand complex issues in a practical, life-related way.

Read the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Deter-

mine why Jesus told this story and to whom He addressed it.

Discover the story's major theme. Identify the people in the

story, and identify their spiritual problem or attribute. What in

this story shows you what the grace of God is like?

The parable of the good Samaritan obviously has double mean-

ings. Throughout history this style of writing was considered impor-

tant in the teaching ministry of the church. There are differences

between true parables, such as the good Samaritan, and allegories,

which need some interpretive key in order to understand them. The

parable of the good Samaritan is a story, pure and simple, with a

beginning and an ending. (See

The Desire of Ages,

pp. 499, 503.) It

has a plot just like other story parables, such as the lost sheep, the

prodigal son, and the great supper.

Here are some rules for understanding parables:

Often understanding the audience helps us to understand the

parable. (Here is contextual understanding again.)

Read the parable aloud to get the full impact of the story.

What catches your attention first?

Often parables answer a question or a problem. What is the

question Jesus is trying to answer? (Luke 10:25-29).

Parables teach a truth to the hearer. What is the truth in the

parable of the good Samaritan?

Parables often confront us with our sinful self or clarify spir-

itual truth for us.

Monday



January 29

POETRY—HEARING GOD'S GRACE (Psalms 19, 86).

The book of Psalms is a collection of inspired prayers, poetry, and

hymns. They are best understood when we recognize that they were

written by Hebrews in Hebrew. In Bible poetry the words are from

God to us or are spoken to God, or about God, by dedicated, inspired

people—men and women who burst forth in praise as they thought of

God. These inspired words bring hope and joy to our hearts and meet

our deepest spiritual needs.

What is your favorite psalm? Why? How does it meet your

spiritual needs? Read Psalm 86, and describe the picture of God

it portrays. How does knowing God's character of love and grace

help us to identify our spiritual and personal needs?

"Every part of the Bible is given by inspiration of God, and is

profitable. The Old Testament, no less than the New, should receive

attention. As we study the Old Testament, we shall find living springs

bubbling up where the careless reader discerns only a desert."—Lift

Him Up,

115.

What to remember when studying the psalms or poetic books

of the Bible:

Remember that these words are written as Hebrew poetry and

addressed to God from the heart, through the mind. See, for

example, Psalm 19:1 (NIV). Notice how the NIV has tried to

help us see the parallels in this psalm by capitalizing only the

first line in each and using a semicolon between the two lines.

What is the poet's main point? The second line in Hebrew

poetry often parallels the first line in meaning (Prov. 18:15).

Sometimes the thought in the second line contrasts with the

first (Prov. 10:19; 15:1).

Most of the psalms were poetry set to music.

The vocabulary of a poem often has double meanings upon

which we can meditate. God's work is illustrated when the

psalm discussing the Exodus says that the mountains "skipped

like rams" (Ps. 114:4, NIV).

There are many types of poetry in the Bible. These types may

be laments, expressions of thanksgiving, appeals for help, or

expressions of joy and praise. When reading a psalm, clarify

the type, and your understanding will increase.

Look up the following psalms, and try to identify their types:

Psalms 127, 139, 137. What pictures of God and His grace do

you see?

Tuesday



January 30

PROPHECY—LEARNING GOD'S PLAN (Rev. 3:14-21).

Prophetic literature comprises a large portion of the Bible. Proph-

ecy may be

general

apocalyptic.

General prophecy (for example,

Joel, Isaiah, Jeremiah) speaks to a local historical situation, often

using this situation as a type or analogy of a similar situation that will

arise toward the end of time. (Note, for example, the dual application

of Jeremiah 4.) Apocalyptic prophecy (for example, Daniel and Rev-

elation) has three major characteristics: (1) It is based on visions and

dreams. (2) It makes a large use of symbolism. (3) It focuses on the

end time.

Prophecy is often prediction. But it often involves understanding

the past, for many of the prophecies have been fulfilled already. So

the study of prophetic books often involves a study of world history.

How do we know we have interpreted a prophecy correctly?

Consider the implication of these verses for our interpretation of

prophecy: Isa. 8:20; Jer. 28:9; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 16:13.

The books of Daniel and Revelation often present predictions of

the future in symbolic language. These prophetic messages have

undoubtedly been an encouragement to God's people throughout

history, but, because of their focus on the end-time, they contain a

special message for us. They have deep spiritual overtones, designed

to influence our spiritual preparation for Christ's second advent.

Note that each of the messages to the churches contained in Revela-

tion 2 and 3 applies, in a special sense, to God's last-day people.

Some principles to remember when interpreting prophetic

passages of the Bible:

Ask three questions of the passage: (1) Why was the prophecy

given? (2) What did it mean to those who heard it at the time it

was written? (3) What does it mean to us today? (What prin-

ciples arise from the text that apply to our situation? See Rev.

3:14-21.)

See whether the text explains itself. Often if we would just

read farther in the passage, we would find the interpretation

to be self-evident. (See Dan. 7:23-25.)

Consider whether there were historical events at the time the

prophecy was written that explain its meaning. If not, look

beyond that period of history for clues. (See Rev. 14:6-12.)

Study the use of symbols elsewhere in Scripture,, and apply

your findings to the prophecy.

Wednesday



January 31

THE PROPHECY OF MATTHEW 24 (Matt. 24:1-31).

Now let us apply the principles stated in Tuesday's lesson to

Jesus' prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world

(Matthew 24).

Why was the prophecy given? What two questions was Jesus

addressing? Matt. 24:1-3.

A correct interpretation of the prophecy depends on our under-

standing that Jesus was using the events leading up to and including

the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 as a type or analogy of the events

leading up to and including His second advent. Consequently, Jesus'

description of the fall of Jerusalem is also a description of His second

coming. History will be repeated. The historical events prior to and

including the events of A.D. 70 illustrate what will happen at the end

of time.

"Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the

destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled

the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples

future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to

endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the

two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for

themselves. When He referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, His

prophetic words reached beyond that event to the final conflagration

in that day when the Lord shall rise out of His place to punish the

world for their iniquity, when the earth shall disclose her blood, and

shall no more cover her slain. The entire discourse was given, not for

the disciples only, but for those who should live in the last scenes of

this earth's history."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 628.

Applying this principle of interpretation, what did the follow-

ing predictions mean to the disciples? How were they fulfilled

before and during A.D. 70? How may they apply to the events

prior to and during the second coming of Jesus?

Matt. 24:4-7. False Christs, wars and rumors of wars,

famines, earthquakes.

Matt. 24:9-14. Persecution, apostasy and disloyalty, false

prophets, the gospel preached in all the world.

Matt. 24:15-31. "The abomination that causes desolation"

(NIV), fleeing from the enemy, observance of the Sabbath

(verse 20), the time of trouble, the dark day, and the falling

stars (verse 29; compare Joel 2:30-32).

Thursday



February 1

HISTORY, INFORMATION, AND INSIGHT (2 Chronicles 27;

Mark 7).

Much of the Old Testament and some of the New Testament are

historical in nature. The challenge is to understand the historical

setting of the text and to transfer the Bible principles to our situation

today. God is revealed through the history of His people. Historical

books include Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and

2 Kings, the four Gospels, and Acts.

What other books would you consider to be mainly historical

in nature? What are the main points in the historical account in

2 Chronicles 27?

"Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank

and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books

of the Bible present a wide contrast in style, as well as a diversity in

the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different forms of expression are

employed by different writers; often the same truth is more strikingly

presented by one than by another."—The

Great Controversy,

p. vi.

What are the benefits of seeing the truth presented in different

ways by different authors in the Bible? (Read the introduction to

The Great Controversy,

and identify Ellen G. White's position.)

Biblical narratives describe what happened in the lives of God's

people. Does this mean that they suggest what should happen in the

church today?

Here are some principles of interpretation that are helpful in

understanding Bible history:

Ask, What is the general historical situation facing the author

and the audience? Seek understanding of the political, eco-

nomic, and social situations.

Identify the customs of the times. (See Mark 7 and the word

corban

[verse 11]. How does an understanding of this expres-

sion help us to understand the passage?)

Is the passage giving us descriptive and prescriptive truth?

Descriptive truth tells us what happened and what God said.

Prescriptive truth states divine principles.

Always seek God's guidance in understanding the history and

in finding spiritual applications then and now.

Remember, God does not approve everything the Bible records.

God inspired the record of historical events, but He was not

responsible for the bad things people did or the bad results

from their actions.

Friday



February 2

FURTHER STUDY:

Study the following historical passages: Judges

7:1-8, Gideon defeats the Midianites; Num. 35:6-33, cities of refuge;

Acts 2:1-13, the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost. Make the following

observations:

Why is each passage in the Bible? What is its purpose?

What are the religious characteristics of each person in the

stories?

What spiritual lessons apply to our lives today?

What do you learn about the character of God?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How can commands given by God to one people in one

culture be translated into our culture?

Can we make direct application from all the incidents that

the Bible directly censures or approves?

What do you think of this statement: "Express commands

to individuals are not always the will of God for us"? (For

example, Abraham was told to offer up his son.)

SUMMARY:

The Bible was written in a number of literary forms.

Four of these are parables, poetry, prophecy, and history. Parables

elucidate truth for believers, poetry expresses eternal principles in

beautiful language, prophecy reveals the hand of God in history and

at the end of time, and history illustrates God's dealings with His

people.

Since more than 40 percent of our Bible is historical, we are able

to consider the importance of biblical examples in our walk of faith.

Mabel Minim

A God Stronger than Idols-2

Sven H. Jensen

Nyatuach is a widow in Sudan. When her husband died, custom

demanded that she sacrifice a bull in her husband's honor. Then

the family will divide her husband's possessions, and she will be

given to one of her husband's brothers.

But recently two young men have told her about the God of

heaven, and she has begun to give up traditional beliefs, including

faith in the demanding idols her husband kept in their home. But if

she does not sacrifice the bull in her husband's honor, his family

will blame her if anything bad happens to them. What should she

do?

She sought counsel from Biel and Majiok, who had taught her

about Jesus. They challenged her to trust in Jesus and not follow

the pagan customs of her relatives. They assured her that the idol

gods had no power over her if she trusted in Jesus.

Biel's family invited Widow Nyatuach and her children into

their own home. When nothing bad happened to her husband's

family, they left her alone. Her brother, Gatwich, was impressed

by the love and kindness of these Adventist Christians and began

regular Bible studies. One day Gatwich brought his family to the

tiny church. "We want to follow Jesus," he said. He carried his

own gods and the five that had belonged to his sister's husband. In

the presence of church members Gatwich destroyed and buried the

idols. His sister asked fearfully, "If we bury them, will they come

back again and disturb us?"

Biel answered, "If your heart is still with the idols, they will

come back to trouble you. But if your heart is with Jesus the idols

will never come back."

Six months later I flew into Waat on a UN relief flight, the first

time ever that a pastor had visited the village. I baptized the three

former idol worshipers: Gatwich, his sister Nyatuach, and her 15-

year-old son, Mayiar, and several others, in a small pool of water

one hour's walk from the town. Mayiar said on the day of his

baptism, "I couldn't sleep all night for joy."

Biel and Majiok now have 70 more people ready for baptism,

many of them former idol worshipers. Genuine friendship and

Christian kindness won their hearts. Pray that the fighting in their

area will cease so we can minister to these sincere people.

Sven H. Jensen is the director of church ministries for the

Middle East Union.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1

800

648

5824.

Lesson 6



February 4-10

How to Study

a Bible Theme

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: John 1:14-16; Rom. 3:24;

Gal. 3:18; Eph. 2:8-10.

MEMORY TEXT: "They are now justified by his grace as a

gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.

3:24, NRSV).

KEY THOUGHT:

The thematic method of Bible study helps us

to investigate the great themes of the Bible. We learn about the theme

by approaching it with a set of questions, analyzing the passages,

summarizing our conclusions, and then writing out a personal appli-

cation. The purpose of this method of Bible study is to become

acquainted with God's will as seen in major Bible passages.

DISCOVERING GOD'S GRACE.

To demonstrate the thematic

approach to Bible study, this week we will study the theme "grace."

The thematic approach is a type of topical study. Focusing on one

theme, it explores the Bible's teaching and application of that theme

to our lives. We discover what we can about a chosen theme by

examining Bible passages that deal with it, allowing specific Bible

passages to suggest questions for which we seek answers throughout

Scripture. This method requires some tools for study (a concordance,

Bible commentaries, and dictionaries), but we will provide all the

information you need to understand the theme of grace in the Bible.

One advantage of this method is that it is the easiest type of

personal Bible study. It is a simple method that can result in a

. profound understanding of the Bible.

Sunday



February 4

THEME: THE IMPORTANCE OF GRACE (John 1:14-16; Eph.

2:8-10).

Steps in studying a Bible theme:

Choose a theme to study that interests you.

List all the biblical passages that you intend to study. Using

your tools for Bible study, make a list of the verses that are

related to the topical theme. You may wish to look up syno-

nyms and other words and concepts that are related to your

theme.

Decide on the questions you want to ask. You may wish to use

what, why, when, how, where, and who questions.

Ask your questions of each passage that deals with the theme.

Read the text first. Then ask your questions, and write down

the answers you find on your question form.

Draw a conclusion from your study. Ask, "What have I dis-

covered about this theme?" Organize your answer into an

outline.

Ask and answer the question "So what?" Write out personal

applications.

Why is the topic of grace such an important topic for Chris-

tians to understand? Note how the following passages in context

address this question:

John 1:14-17



Rom. 3:24



Rom. 11:5, 6



1 Cor. 1:4-7



Eph. 2:8-10



"We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in the

covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour effected our

redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with

Christ. Let this grace be revealed to

others."—Christ's Object Les-

sons,

p. 250.

The importance of grace for Adventists is emphasized by Charles

Bradford, former North American Division president, who writes: "It

remains for those who drink deeply at grace's fountain to present

these living waters to all the people who dwell on earth. Seventh-day

Adventists must be in the vanguard, foremost exponents, stewards of

His matchless, saving grace. But this can only be as we become the

people in whom Yahweh's name dwells, fiercely loyal to Jesus

Christ."—Stuart Tyner, ed.,

Only by Grace

(Riverside, Calif.: La

Sierra University Press, 1994), p. 24.

Monday



February 5

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS (Eph. 3:7, 8; Gal. 3:18).

In the Greek New Testament, the word for "grace"

(charis)

is used

156 times. The Gospels of Luke and John use the word

grace

in the

sense of God's favor (Luke 1:30; 2:52), spiritual power (Luke 2:40;

John 1:14), and the gifts He bestows upon undeserving sinners (John

1:16, 17). Paul's Epistles use the word

grace (charis)

99 times. We

will study grace only in Romans, Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and

Ephesians. Below is a selection of texts we can use.

Thematic Bible Study Sheet

Theme: The apostle Paul's understanding of grace.

List of Bible references:

Rom. 1:5, 7

Rom. 3:24

Rom. 4:16

Rom. 5:2

Rom. 5:15, 17

Rom. 6:1, 14, 15

Rom. 11:5, 6

Rom. 12:3, 6

Rom. 15:15

Rom. 16:20

1 Cor. 1:3, 4

1 Cor. 3:10

1 Cor. 15:10

1 Cor. 16:23

2 Cor. 1:2, 12

2 Cor. 4:15

2 Cor. 6:1

2 Cor. 8:1, 6, 7, 9

2 Cor. 9:8, 14

2 Cor. 12:9

2 Cor. 13:14

Gal. 1:3, 6, 15

Gal. 2:9, 21

Gal. 5:4

Gal. 6:18

Eph. 1:2, 6, 7

Eph. 2:5, 7, 8

Eph. 3:2, 7, 8

Eph. 4:7

Eph. 6:24

The next step in thematic Bible study is to learn to ask the right

questions. This is a key activity in most personal Bible study. We are

admonished to study the Bible for ourselves. (See

Christian Educa-

tion,

p. 58.)

Read Ephesians 3:7, 8 and Galatians 3:18, and write down two

additional questions implied in these texts.

What are the benefits of grace that the text suggests?



Following are examples of questions on grace you may wish to

ask the texts. Or you may wish to use the questions you listed above.

With what or with whom is grace associated?

How are we involved in receiving and maintaining grace?

What are the characteristics of grace?

After establishing your questions, the next step in thematic Bible

study is to read through your references and ask your set of questions

of each verse, trying to be mindful of the context.

Tuesday



February 6

GETTING THE RIGHT ANSWERS (Rom. 11:5, 6).

Use the form below to answer the questions about grace that you

asked. Ask your selected questions of each reference, and write the

answers in the appropriate space. You will need extra sheets of paper

to finish the study of grace in the Pauline letters because we have

listed only four biblical passages for today's study from the thirty

passages in our list in Monday's lesson. As you have time, you

should try to research all the texts listed. Answers to the questions for

the first passage are given here as an illustration of how you might

prepare your thematic study sheet.

Questions we want to ask the text:

With what or with whom is grace associated?

How are we involved in receiving or maintaining grace?

What are the characteristics of grace?

Answers to questions:

Scripture reference: Rom. 11:5, 6.

Associated with the "remnant" chosen for salvation (verse 5).

Grace given by God (verse 6).

Grace comes by being chosen (verse 5). Grace is not earned

by our works (verse 6).

Scripture reference: Eph. 2:5, 7.

Scripture reference: 2 Cor. 4:15.

Scripture reference: 2 Cor. 13:14.

This section is the most critical of all your study. If you fail to

study thoroughly, you cannot draw accurate conclusions, and you

have the feeling that you will never know exactly what the Scriptures

say on a certain theme. You may be tempted to take only a brief time

to read the passage, trying to finish the assignment quickly. Take

your time! Study only a few texts at any one sitting, and pray about

their meaning before you try to answer any questions that you have

raised. During your study, you may find that your texts are answering

other questions. Take the time to jot down those answers, as well.

Wednesday



February 7

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS (Rom. 5:17).

The challenge in Bible study is to draw accurate conclusions. It is

easy to insert our own preconceived ideas into final evaluations. "In

your study of the word, lay at the door of investigation your precon-

ceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You will

never reach the truth if you study the Scriptures to vindicate your

own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to

hear what the Lord has to say to you."—Ellen G. White,

The Youth's

Instructor,

July 24, 1902.

After you have read through all the references and tried to

answer the questions you have asked of the Bible passages, orga-

nize and summarize the responses to each question. You might

try to build an outline or a summary paragraph, or you may

want to group the answers that seem to be alike into one section

of your outline.

In developing your outline summary or in drawing conclusions,

you might begin like this: (Insights regarding grace from other texts

in the list in Monday's lesson have been added to illustrate the depth

of information the Bible provides.)

Summary questions:

With what or with whom is grace associated?

With God, Jesus, and salvation.

Set in contrast to righteousness by works.

A gift that includes the gift of God's righteousness (Rom.

5:17).

Redemption (Rom. 3:24).

Comes through faith (Eph. 2:8).

Peace (Eph.1:2).

How are we involved in getting and maintaining grace?

From our "birth" and "rebirth" (Gal. 1:15).

Comes by being chosen.

Comes by the power of God.

What are the characteristics of grace?

Free to believers.

Comes from Jesus because of His death.

Empowers servants of Jesus.

Keeps us true to Christ's true gospel (Gal. 1:6).

Makes us alive in Christ and dead to sin (Eph. 2:5).

We have listed only some of the passages from which we have

drawn conclusions about grace. See whether you can discover some

other texts that are the basis for the preceding conclusions.

Thursday



February 8

APPLYING THE BIBLE TO OUR LIVES (1 Cor. 2:14-3:4).

The Bible talks to us about various kinds of Christians. (See

1 Corinthians 2 and 3.) These types of people include those who are

without the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14), those who are called spiritual (1 Cor.

2:15), and those who are worldly, "mere infants in Christ" (1 Cor.

3:1, NIV). Could it be that each of us might fall into one of these

categories? The text provides a clear understanding of each type of

person. Notice that those without the Spirit of God fail to accept the

things that come from the Spirit. And infants in Christ need a type of

food different from that needed by those considered spiritual. This

means that people internalize the Word of God differently. That is

why application is so personal.

In order to implement what we have learned and to make it

important to our lives, we need to write out a personal application

that is practical and workable. In this last section, we will look at the

general theme and decide what we are going to do about the Bible

message. You may wish to look at each text, and ask it a personal

question. But for our purposes in this day's study, we will ask only

the general application questions:

What does all this mean for me?

In what way will my actions, attitudes, or decisions change,

now that I know more about the grace of God?

After studying the passages on grace provided with this week's

study, we might draw the following conclusion: (Use this as an

example of how to write an application response.)

Application:

Based on my study of grace in the Pauline letters, I will . . .

Learn to accept grace as a gift on a daily basis.

Be open to the workings of grace and salvation in my life

today.

Recognize that obedience to God's law is a response to

grace, not a means of earning salvation.

Use the space below to conclude your own study of grace in the

Pauline letters.

Application:

Based on my study of grace in the Pauline letters, I will . . .

Friday



February 9

FURTHER STUDY:

Read

Evangelism,

p. 190;

Gospel Workers,

p. 315.

As you have studied, you have probably seen that the apostle Paul

sees grace as a significant gift from God. In fact, it is the essence of

God's decisive saving act in Jesus Christ, which took place on the

cross. The consequences of this saving grace through Jesus dramati-

cally influence our lives in the here and now and in the future. The

term

grace

arises out of God's basic act of pardon for sinners. Paul

recognizes the whole Christian life as empowered by grace—guaran-

teed by it, anchored by it, and governed by it—because of God's

wonderful gift of love for us in Jesus' death on the cross.

"The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth

around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly under-

stood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis

to Revelation, must be studied in the light which streams from the

cross of Calvary, and in connection with the wondrous, central truth

of the Saviour's atonement. Those who study the Redeemer's won-

derful sacrifice grow in grace and knowledge."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5,

p. 1137.

You may wish to study such Bible themes as: (1) how to know

God's will; (2) praising the Lord in the Psalms; (3) learning to

pray—great prayers in the Bible.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ABOUT GRACE AND THEMATIC

BIBLE STUDY:

What other themes in Scripture would you like to under-

stand?

What is the value of thematic Bible study? How can the-

matic Bible study be used in evangelism and personal wit-

nessing? What creative uses can you find for this kind of

study?

How can one be saved by grace through faith and still be

concerned about sinless living?

SUMMARY:

Thematic Bible study is one helpful means of learning

more about grace. Grace, the love of God manifested in His infinite

saving work for humanity, has been available throughout history.

The cross was the supreme revelation of God's grace. His grace

continually comes to us through the compassionate ministry of the

Holy Spirit in our hearts.

lissIsm

Faith Stronger Than Witchcraft

J. H. Joseph and Madan La11

A layman who lives in North India found Christ and was eager

to share God's love with others. As soon as he was baptized he

began to give Bible studies to his family. One by one they ac-

cepted God's love and became his first jewels for Jesus. Even

some of the man's cousins were baptized. In all, the man brought

30 souls to Jesus.

One of the man's neighbors, Satpal, was not a Christian. In

fact, the man's father, Sohan, practiced witchcraft. He "helped"

the people of the village who had any kind of trouble. Sohan

organized large

melas

where people gathered to take part in the

rituals of devil worship. People came long distances hoping to be

healed. Others wanted to apease an angry god or have a curse

removed.

One day old Sohan died. Family members buried him in their

own yard and built an altar over the grave on which to conduct

worship daily.

About this time the Christian layman met Satpal, old Sohan's

son, and told him about the amazing love of Jesus. Satpal listened

carefully, and eventually accepted Jesus as his personal Savior.

Satpal's family members began harassing him; some stopped

speaking to him. They threatened to cut him off from the family

inheritance. But Satpal had found a faith stronger than his father's

witchcraft; he did not yield to Satan. Satpal married and moved

into a small one-room home. They were crowded, but he was

happy in the Lord.

Satpal's mother and brother continued to worship daily at the

altar over his father's tomb. One night Satpal dreamed that God

commanded him to demolish the altar on his father's grave. The

altar was a reminder of Satan's work and power, so Satpal de-

stroyed it. Many thought that Satpal and his family would be

harmed or killed, but to everyone's amazement, the family did not

seek revenge. In fact, Satpal's mother began to open to the love of

God. Although she does not attend church, she sometimes opens

her home to Christian meetings. Pray that Satpal's witness will

one day unite his family at the altar of Christ.

J. H. Joseph is a pastor, and Madan Lall is a layman in

Northern India.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Through your generous offering, more NEW WORK

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pared for the kingdom.

These precious souls shall have a place of worship.

REMEMBER, SABBATH, MARCH 30, 1996

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ratism, tribal warfare, ethnic rivalry, and racism seem to be

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of Christ—and that includes the

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has not been immune to these

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in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28)?

The answer is Yes. The time is

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Sabbath Afternoon

---

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Eph. 2:1-22.

Lesson 7



February 11-17

How to Study

Inductively

MEMORY TEXT: "But because of his great love for us, God,

who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we

were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been

saved" (Eph. 2:4, 5, NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

Inductive Bible study seeks to determine the

exact meaning of a passage on the basis of language and context. By

exploring a specific chapter or section of Scripture, we can learn

inductively more of God's will for our lives and the manner in which

He wishes to transform us. We learn about God's grace, the means of

reconciliation with Him.

GRACE AND RECONCILIATION.

The Bible explains how

God saves us. Through Bible study we discover the "how" of salvation,

as well as its personal results, the "so what." Inductive Bible study is

the process of letting the text speak to us, rather than bringing our own

agenda to the text. The primary purpose of this type of study is to find

out what the Bible says, and its secondary purpose is to determine what

the message means to us. We carefully observe the text, its content, and

context. We look at each paragraph, sentence, and word in an in-

tensely detailed and systematic manner. There are at least six steps in

this method: (1) Discover what the chapter is about; write a chapter title

and summary. (2) Make a list of everything you observe in the passage.

(3) Ask questions about the passage. (4) Relate your chapter to other

similar passages. (5) List some possible applications. (6) Write down

concluding thoughts and observations.

Sunday



February 11

FINDING OUT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TEXT (Eph.

2:1-22).

Read Ephesians 2:1-22 in its entirety two or three times, and

reflect on its purpose, style, content, and message. What do you

think is the main theme of the chapter? Prepare for your study

by having a concordance, paper, and pen available.

The first step in the inductive approach is to understand the big

picture. An artist, looking at a scene he or she wishes to paint, spends

time looking for patterns, colors, shapes, movement, and a point of

focus. Similarly, the Bible student carefully surveys the passage

under study:

Write the message of the chapter in your own words.

Ex-

press it in such a way so that, when you read your version to

others, they receive the gist of the passage.

You may want to outline the chapter in detail.

Look at all

the paragraph divisions in Ephesians 2. Assign a title to each

paragraph, and then place some subpoints under each one. For

example:

I. "We come alive through grace."

We were trapped in sin.

We are alive because of God's love.

Our salvation proves how rich God's love is.

We represent to the universe what Christ is like.

Use your creativity to rewrite the passage, using only the

subjects, verbs, and objects.

For example, you might rewrite

the first paragraph in Ephesians 2 this way: "We were dead

when we followed worldly ways. We gratified sinful nature.

By grace we are saved through faith. In the coming age, the

richness of God's kindness is revealed." This approach high-

lights the major thrust of the content.

Read the following story, and reflect on how Ephesians 2 provides

the answer to the problem:

A 16-year-old young woman named Leslie made three life-

changing decisions. She began sleeping with her boyfriend, she took up

smoking marijuana, and she stopped going to church. Her parents seemed

totally unaware of what was happening to their precious daughter.

Her youth pastor was devastated. He could not understand why

Leslie was doing things that would hurt her and rejecting things that

could give her strength.

Leslie's problems are not exclusive to teenagers. We need to ask

ourselves,. if we knew exactly what was required to live a healthier,

happier, and more prosperous life, would we do it? (Adapted from

Mark Gilroy,

Group Magazine,

September 1992, p. 58.)

Monday



February 12

MAKING SENSE OUT OF YOUR OBSERVATIONS (Eph. 2:1-

22; Mark 4:35-41).

The next part of the inductive method is careful observation. For

example, if you study the story of Jesus and the storm on the Sea of

Galilee in Mark 4:35-41, what do you notice first? You see Jesus, the

terrified disciples, the lake, the storm, and a sinking boat. But if you

observe more closely, you notice that some of these men were pro-

fessional fishermen. The storm was testing them at the point of their

greatest ability, but still they were afraid. The parallels in our own

lives are clear. We are often tested at the point of our greatest

strength. Our strengths often prove to be our chief areas of vulner-

ability.

Careful observation is crucial if we are to understand the Bible. "It

is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the

Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage

others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible

diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with

scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves

as we are to answer for ourselves before God."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

p. 598.

Make a list of everything you observe in Ephesians 2. The

purpose is to become completely saturated with the content of the

passage, something that a cursory reading of the text will not do.

We want to answer the question What does the text say?

Here

is a list of observations on Ephesians 2:1-6. Compare this list

with yours, and complete the assignment by looking at each text in

chapter 2:

Eph. 2:1. I was dead in sin; now I am alive because of Jesus.

Eph. 2:2. The evil one works in people who are disobedient.

Eph. 2:3. When we serve ourselves, we are just like those

disobedient ones.

Eph. 2:4. God has great mercy for us.

Eph. 2:5. God's grace brings us alive spiritually.

Eph. 2:5, 6. By grace we sit with Jesus in heaven.

List

key words

in the chapter. Look for repeated words and

phrases. Look for questions being asked that need answers.

Look for commands, warnings, comparisons, and contrasts.

Identify the illustrations. Look for lists of things and explana-

tions. Notice the people, places, and situations involved.

Tuesday



February 13

HOW TO GLEAN INFORMATION AS YOU INTERPRET THE

PASSAGE (Eph. 2:1-22; Luke 15:11-31).

Now that you have made detailed observations of your passage in

Ephesians 2 about grace and reconciliation, it is time to begin to ask

other questions of the text. Some call these "interpretative ques-

tions," because they focus on the meaning of the passage. The

answers provide the key to understanding the passage. Usually, inter-

pretative questions begin with words like

what

why.

For example,

we might ask,

Why

did Paul write this about grace?

What

is the

context out of which he wrote?

What

are the implications for our

lives in the sentence: "For it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of

God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (verse 8, NIV).

Write down your questions and answers. That will help later,

when you try to draw conclusions about the passage.

Do not forget to investigate difficult passages, things that you

simply do not understand. Note these in the section below:

Questions:

Difficulties in the passage:

In order to understand the difficulties you have encoun-

tered, you may wish to consult a dictionary, a concordance, the

writings of Ellen G. White, or a Bible commentary. Now is a

good time to compare other translations of the Bible with the

one you are studying. See whether another version helps you in

your understanding of the passage. You may also wish to look

at related Bible passages. (See Luke 15:11-32; Prov. 3:34.)

Wednesday



February 14

MAKING SENSE OF A CHAPTER (Eph. 2:1-22).

Remember, our goal in Bible study is not only information and

direction; it is also application that motivates us to be recognizable

children of God.

Study the significance of Ephesians 2:8, 9. Here we see a connec-

tion of a unique kind. It is almost a contrast of opposites. Paul says

that you have been saved "by grace . . . through faith . . . the gift of

God." This is in opposition to "not from yourselves . . . not by works,

so that no one can boast" (verses 8, 9, NIV).

In verses 11-22, Paul adds a comforting picture of how Christ

brings peace. Christ tears down the walls of hostility that separate

people, and He restores a unity of love, friendliness, and hospitality

among all races and classes. Grace is the basis of all peacemaking.

How could a knowledge of grace and salvation in Christ re-

lieve tensions in the world today in those areas where conflict

prevails? What walls of hostility are there in the church that

need to be torn down? According to Ephesians 2, how does

peacemaking occur?

You may wish to begin an outline of the insights you have gleaned

from your study of Ephesians 2. For example, you might list the

following as possible insights: (1) Salvation by grace through faith

tears down barriers between groups. races, families, and individuals.

(2) Grace is the means by which we receive salvation. We cannot

work for salvation; we cannot do anything to deserve it. God gives it

as a gift. (3) Through Jesus' death we now have direct access to God.

(4) Grace from Jesus is the most empowering gift for our victorious

Christian walk.

"No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recog-

nized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All men are of one

family by creation, and all are one through redemption. Christ came

to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compart-

ment of the temple, that every soul may have free access to God. His

love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts

out of Satan's circle the poor souls who have been deluded by his

deceptions. It places them within reach of the throne of God, the

throne encircled by the rainbow of promise."—Christ'

s Object

Lessons,

p. 386.

What insight has the text given you about the role of works

in the Christian life?

Thursday



February 15

APPLYING THE PASSAGE TO OUR LIVES (Eph. 2:1-22).

have asked what the text says and what the text means. We

have learned inductively what the Lord wants us to learn about grace

and hostility. Now we need to bring our study of the passage to a

conclusion.

Review the main points we have learned about Ephesians 2, and

consider the implications of this textual study. Ask, "What am I

going to do about this now?"

What is the relationship between works and Christ's gift of

salvation through grace? Eph. 2:8-10 (compare Rom. 2:13; 3:31;

Rev. 22:12).

Certainly, works are important in Christian living, and God expects

obedience of His children. But Ephesians 2:8, 9 clearly says that

grace is the means of salvation, and we receive it through our faith

(commitment to what Jesus does for and in us), not by any activity of

our own. One conclusion we might draw is that we should endeavor,

through the power of Christ's grace, to reflect in our behavior the

wonderful message and gift given us through Christ's death on the

cross. (See Rom. 8:3, 4.) Our behavior may change in relation to our

experience of grace, rather than by our efforts to earn salvation.

List three practical applications to your life of Ephesians 2:1-

22. Notice especially the implied action found in verses 19 and 20.

Our study sheet for the inductive approach to Bible study has the

following divisions, plus enough room to answer the questions thor-

oughly:

Inductive Study Guide

Chapter:

Ephesians 2:1-22.

Chapter Title:

"Grace and Reconciliation."

I . Chapter Summary.

Observation. (What does the chapter say?)

Interpretation. (What does the chapter mean?)

Comparison. (What do other texts say on the topic?)

Application. (What will I do about what I have learned?)

Conclusion. (What did I learn?)

Do not forget that the questions you ask the text should arise out

of the passage itself. We want to learn what the text says, not what

we think the text says.

Friday



February 16

FURTHER STUDY:

Select another chapter in your Bible, and be-

gin an inductive study. Try Ephesians 1, which is about finding

God's purpose in our lives; or Psalm 86, which deals with openness

to God's leading. These are excellent chapters with which to begin

using the inductive method of Bible study. The key to inductive

Bible study is to explore the text by using questions that arise out of

our understanding of the text itself. Look at style, people, places,

themes, theology, actions, interactions, counsel, commands, and any-

thing else the text provides. Go to the text with significant questions,

and watch the text come alive with meaning and personal applica-

tion.

In studying the parables of Jesus, if possible, use a version of

the New Testament that has the Gospel accounts in parallel

columns. Compare the stories in each Gospel account, and see

how each writer emphasizes a different purpose for the story or

provides different information. Notice how this enhances your

understanding of the passages. See Mark 12:1-12, the parable of

the tenants. Compare the parallel passages, Matthew 21:33-46

and Luke 20:9-19. Explore the meaning of this parable for your

life, using the inductive method.

For further study about grace, see

Christ's Object Lessons,

"Like

Unto Leaven," pp. 95-102. Learn from this chapter about the power

of sin in our lives and about God's love for us. Read

The Great

Controversy,

"God's People Delivered," pp. 635-652. Note the place

of faith and grace in the lives of God's end-time people.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How do you determine what questions to ask of a Bible

passage so as to determine its meaning? How do you de-

cide whether or not your questions are valid?

What physical and spiritual preparations are needed for

deep, thoughtful Bible study?

What have you learned from this study of Ephesians 2?

What difference will it make in your life?

SUMMARY:

Using the inductive method (detailed study of content

and context), we can determine the meaning of Ephesians 2:1-22.

Christians who understand the depth of love revealed in Jesus' death

on our behalf are aware of the true motivation for abiding in

Christ—His infinite sacrifice for us. God's love in His gift of grace

enables us to live, learn, and serve according to His will.

The Children Shall Lead

Charlotte Ishkanian

How do 14 people make an impact for God in a city in the

former Soviet Union? Everyone has a part to play.

Nearly 100 children crowd into a plain hall in downtown Rezina,

Moldova, a city of 30,000. As the children enter, they give the

greeter their answer sheets for yesterday's Bible study quiz, then

take their seats. They wear their coats in the unheated room.

A woman tells a Bible story, using felts donated by a church

overseas, to hold the children's attention.The children take turns

placing felts on the board as she tells the story. They wiggle in

anticipation of a turn holding the felts or answering a question.

Only four of the children here are Adventists. The others come

from Orthodox homes or homes where religion is not a part of their

lives. So the familiar Bible stories are new to these children.

Two young Adventist girls, 10-year-olds Lilia Maftei [MAWF-

tay] and Alona Yakovienko, sing a simple, unaccompanied duet

for the children, then help teach them a song that the children will

sing for their parents on Sunday night.

After the meeting the children receive their next Bible study

quiz. I ask how so many children learned about the meetings. Lilia

Maftei, the pastor's daughter, smiles and says the whole church—

all 14 members—gave out invitations. "I went with two women,"

Lilia explained. "I did not know what to say, but the women said

they would do the talking. At the door, they forgot what to say, so I

invited the people to our meetings. The people came! Now I am

not afraid to invite people to hear about God."

Lilia has helped her father in his ministry for most of her life.

She and Alona will sing for the adults' meeting tonight. The girls

are eager to help win others to God.

In a country that has few Adventists, everyone shares in the

work. Pastor Maftei has two churches and

14 small groups meeting in homes through-

out the area. He tries to visit each church

once every month. Even then, he often gets

home only one night a week. In a minister's

family in the Euro-Asia Division, every-

one has a part in the church's ministry,

even the children.

Lilia Maftei (left). Charlotte Ishkanian

is editor of the

Mission

quarterlies.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 8



February 18-24

The Text Speaks

About Worship (Part 1)

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Exod. 4:29-31; 5; Isaiah 6;

John 4:1-38.

MEMORY TEXT: " 'My food,' said Jesus, 'is to do the will of

him who sent me and to finish his work' " (John 4:34, NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

Worship is a heart response to God's pres-

ence. Worship expresses our adoration, reverence, praise for God,

and commitment to Him. Like faith, it is a product of grace. Worship

extends beyond the formal service of the church each weekend. It

defines how we are to live in a world entrapped by evil and shaped by

a secular culture that has as its goal selfish exploitation and self-

aggrandizement. Worship enriches our personal spiritual lives and

provides motivation for corporate action.

WORSHIP AND PRAISE.

We will use the inductive method to

explore this theological and practical topic. We will review the method

and seek insight into the meaning and purpose of worship.

Throughout the Bible the restoration of worship is presented as

the first step in returning to God. While the Israelites were still in

Egypt, God restored their sense of national identity through the

reestablishment of worship practices. In a meeting between Moses,

Aaron, and the elders of Israel, Moses outlined the process whereby

God would help His people leave Egypt. In that first meeting, wor-

ship was reinstituted. (See Exod. 4:29-31.)

Sunday



February 18

THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP (Isaiah 6).

As you read and reread the sixth chapter of Isaiah, focus on

the purpose of the chapter. What is the writer saying? Who are

the characters involved?

Notice this comment on Isaiah 6 from a Bible dictionary: "That

God was the Holy One was inscribed indelibly on Isaiah's heart as a

result of his inaugural vision (vi. 3). As Amos has been called the

prophet of righteousness and Hosea the prophet of lovingkindness,

so Isaiah has been called the prophet of holiness. . . . God is the Holy

One; that means He is so highly exalted above His creatures as to be

totally different from them, not only in His moral perfection (cf. vi.

5) but also in His power, His wrath, His love, His faithfulness, and all

His virtues (cf. also xxix. 16, xxxi. 3). Yahweh's holiness is the very

essence of His divine being, which causes men to tremble before

Him as they worship Him."—J. D. Douglas, ed.,

The New Bible

Dictionary

(Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1965), p. 574.

Ellen White suggests, "The long reign of Uzziah [also known as

Azariah] in the land of Judah and Benjamin was characterized by a

prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of

Solomon, nearly two centuries before. . . . This outward prosperity,

however, was not accompanied by a corresponding revival of spir-

itual

power."—Prophets and Kings,

p. 303.

Too often, we look for some "experience" of worship that will

grip us in such a way that we will follow God because we can do no

other. We leave the presence of God, wondering why our expecta-

tions have not been fulfilled. We believe incorrectly that there is a

specific type of worship format, type, or style that God expects.

Write a paraphrase of Isaiah 6:1-13, or outline it in detail as

you explore Isaiah's experience with God. What is the context of

Isaiah's experience of worship? Why did he have his unique

worship experience? What was Isaiah's response to the vision of

God that he received?

Using our study sheets, we might fill them out as follows:

Inductive Study Guide

Chapter:

Isaiah 6.

Chapter Title:

"The Experience of the Holiness of God."

Chapter Summary:

Monday



February 19

OBSERVING THE TEXT (Isa. 6:1-13).

Today we want to examine in detail what the chapter says. To do

this we must ask clear questions that arise from our reading of the

passage under study. Here are some observations to make of the

passage regarding the vision. You may wish to write them in the

observation section of your own study guide, using the form in last

week's lesson.

Observation: (What does the chapter

say?)

What was the attitude of the prophet to the vision of God?

(verse 5).

What does God's throne room look like? (verses 1, 4).

How are the angels described? (verses 2, 6).

What was the angel's message to Isaiah? (verses 3, 7).

How did Isaiah respond? (verse 8).

What was the essence of God's message for Isaiah? (verses 7,

8, 10).

What was the message Isaiah was to share with God's people?

(verses 9, 10).

What were God's stipulations for Isaiah about the message of

warning? (verses 11-13).

What other questions arise from this passage? Look up King

Uzziah and the prophet Isaiah in a Bible dictionary, and read

about the cultural setting. See Ellen G. White,

Prophets and

Kings,

"The Call of Isaiah," pp. 303-310.

"This assurance of the final fulfillment of God's purpose brought

courage to the heart of Isaiah. What though earthly powers array

themselves against Judah? What though the Lord's messenger meet

with opposition and resistance? Isaiah had seen the King, the Lord of

hosts; he had heard the song of the seraphim, 'The whole earth is full

of His glory;' he had the promise that the messages of Jehovah to

backsliding Judah would be accompanied by the convicting power of

the Holy Spirit; and the prophet was nerved for the work before

him. . . . Throughout his long and arduous mission he carried with

him the memory of this vision. For sixty years or more he stood

before the children of Judah as a prophet of hope, waxing bolder and

still bolder in his predictions of the future triumph of the church."

—Prophets and Kings,

p. 310.

What are the results of meeting God in worship? What

happens to our lives when we are confronted by the living God?

Tuesday



February 20

INFORMATION ABOUT WORSHIP (Isaiah 6).

Notice the following about Isaiah 6 and the prophet's worship

experience. Fill in your own study sheet, based on the inductive

method of Bible study.

Interpretation: (What does the chapter mean?)

It was an encounter with the Holy God (verse 1). In personal

and corporate worship, do we sense the presence of God? We

may expect a God of our own making to grace our worship.

Too often we expect a feeling to be present, some emotional

or sensory experience to validate our need for God or to prove

that we have been saved. "Do not wait to feel that you are

made whole, but say, 'I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it,

but because God has promised.'

"—Steps to Christ,

p. 51.

Needing some emotional experience to validate God's ac-

tions in Jesus is a subtle form of works-righteousness. Our

need to prove that God is at work puts us in control of the

experience, rather than allowing God to be the only source of

the blessing.

Isaiah's worship experience was designed to meet his needs

and to direct him to greater challenges (verses 1, 7, 8). In this

worship experience, Isaiah was called and inducted into the

prophetic office. Worship at its best is a chance to meet God

and to find direction for our lives. Most of the worship experi-

ences recorded in sacred Scripture move the person beyond

his or her petty concerns into the realm of God's concerns for

the world. For example, as Daniel prayed for his people, he

was moved to focus not only on the destroyed temple complex

in Jerusalem but on the danger that the "chosen" people of

God might reject the Messiah Himself. Worship stretches us

beyond our present concerns to eternal priorities.

What were the priorities God had in mind for Isaiah? How

can those priorities be translated into our day and time?

Worship for Isaiah included a command to act. We sometimes

forget that worship is not a passive activity. We are not only to

watch and wait, but we are to be inspired to act in God's

behalf. Passive worship may be too introspective to be helpful.

Are your responses to God as positive and spontaneous as

were Isaiah's? Can you describe your past responses?

Wednesday



February 21

APPLICATIONS OF WORSHIP (Isaiah 6; John 4:1-38).

John 4:1-38 provides a look at worship from Jesus' perspective as

He sat at the foot of Mount Gerizim speaking with a Samaritan

woman. As Isaiah does, Jesus gives a model for worship that moves

to direct action and thereby explains the nature of true spiritual

worship.

At Sychar Jesus visited Jacob's well. From that spot you can view

the famous Old Testament mountains of blessing and cursing. On

Mount Gerizim the Samaritans had erected an alternative worship

site from that of the temple in Jerusalem. After giving "living" water

to the woman, a discussion ensued about the proper "place" for

worship. Jesus suggested that the place is not as crucial as the spir-

itual nature of worship itself. He wants us all to have God's living

water, the proper refreshment for our lives. "Worship in spirit and in

truth" (John 4:24, NIV) is crucial, Jesus declares. This raises the

question of Spirit-filled worship and truth-filled worship practice.

What does it mean to worship in Spirit and in truth? Did

Isaiah worship in this way? What is spiritual worship? What is

truth-filled worship? Explain what Jesus meant by spiritual wor-

ship.

Our passages in Isaiah and John provide ample opportunity to

draw applications that can influence our lives. Study Isaiah 6:8-13;

then draw some applications for your life from each verse. Below we

have tried to identify some obvious applications of Isaiah 6:1-8.

Application: (What does the chapter mean?)

Verse 1.

We need to see God in His glory and holiness.

Verse 3.

We need to understand that God rules over everything,

even our whole lives.

Verse 5.

We recognize our sinfulness in the presence of God

and our utter helplessness.

Verse 7.

God forgives our sins when we meet with Him in wor-

ship.

Verse 8.

We need to be ready to be used by God because He

needs our service.

Draw

one-sentence conclusion about worship from Isaiah 6

and from Jesus' discussion in John 4. What elements of worship

do these texts illustrate? How can our worship in public and

private be enriched as a result of our study of these passages?

Thursday



February 22

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WORSHIP (2 Sam. 6:5, 14; Isaiah 6;

Matt. 6:5-18).

Worship has two aspects: private and public. As we read in the

Bible about private worship, we are directed to Jesus' counsel on

prayer in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:5-18). Here Jesus indi-

cates that private worship is very personal. It is not to bolster private

egos or to separate people who are more spiritual from those who are

less spiritual. Prayer is to be uniquely individualistic.

The Old Testament pictures public worship using many Middle

Eastern forms. We see David singing before the Lord when He

delivered him from the hand of all his enemies. He sang, "The Lord

is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in

whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation" (2 Sam.

22:2, 3, NIV). Again, we see David bringing the ark back to Jerusa-

lem with great celebration, involving singing, instruments, and danc-

ing. "David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all

their might before the Lord. . . . David, wearing a linen ephod,

danced before the Lord with all his might" (2 Samuel 6:5, 14, NIV).

From this example, we learn that worship forms are sometimes

influenced by circumstances, cultures, and needs.

How do these biblical examples of worship enhance our own

worship practices? What conclusions can you draw from Isaiah

about the type of worship that is Spirit-filled and truth-directed?

What makes us comfortable in our worship style and method?

What are some of the cultural and generational differences in

worship practices that fall within the Spirit and truth model?

The words used in the Bible in connection with worship point to

the qualities of worship that God desires for His people. For ex-

ample, the words

to serve

and

deacon

imply either voluntary or

compulsory work done for another person. In other places in the

Bible, worship is an "inner attitude." We should come from any

worship experience inspired to serve others.

Use the last section of the inductive-study sheet to write conclu-

sions to your study of Isaiah 6:

Conclusion: (What did I learn?)

Be as practical as possible, and identify one thing that you

want to see happen in your own public and/or private worship

experience.

Friday



February 23

FURTHER STUDY:

Read

Steps to Christ,

"Faith and Acceptance,"

pp. 49-55;

Prophets and Kings, "

'Behold Your God,' " pp. 311-321;

The Desire of Ages,

"At Jacob's Well," pp. 188-190. Study also the

following Bible references about worship: Psalm 89 about praise;

Psalm 66 about joy; Psalm 102 about prayer.

When Jesus was visiting with the woman at the well outside

Sychar, He endeavored to have her focus on true worship of God, not

on controversial issues. "He desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer

above matters of form and ceremony, and questions of controversy.

`The hour cometh,' He said, 'and now is, when the true worshipers

shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh

such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must

worship Him in spirit and in truth.'

"—The Desire of Ages,

p. 189.

How does this story help us to understand aspects of our

worship service and how to identify those elements that benefit

individuals in our congregations?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Is religion confined to external forms and ceremonies?

Explain.

If you could plan the "ideal" worship service for your

church, what would you include? Why?

How would you change your private worship practices, in

light of what you have studied in Isaiah and John?

What do you think of this quotation? "Wherever a soul

reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is mani-

fest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such

worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to

make them His sons and daughters."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 189.

SUMMARY:

Through the inductive method of Bible study, we

learned this week that Isaiah's experience (Isaiah 6) provides a won-

derful example of the worship experiences that God's people might

have. The condition is that they come to Him with open hearts and a

willingness to listen to His voice. By beholding the glory of the Holy

One, Isaiah found purpose for his life and motivation to respond to

God's call. True worship provides the basis of understanding our

relationship with God and our mission in the world.

Global Mission

‘;

;SiF

My Testimony

Sandy Birdsong

I never knew about Jesus until in my late teens. In my young

adult life I attended a church and sang in their choir, but I never

understood phrases like "Washed in the blood." I did not know

what it meant to be a Christian. For all these years I was nothing

more than a secular humanist. But during the last few months a

whole new joyous life has opened to me.

My dear friend Brenda suffered from a terminal illness, and I

spent a lot of time with her. For almost four months a group of

kind people who didn't even know Brenda brought meals to her

home every day. I noticed something different about these people.

They lived like real Christians. Brenda's husband, Nick, services

computers, and one of his clients is the General Conference of-

fices. As Nick became acquainted with some workers at the church's

headquarters, he told them about Brenda's illness, and those people

began praying with him. Some of them began bringing food by for

the family. Nick started studying the Bible with them, searching

for answers to his deepest questions.

After Brenda's death I continued to visit Nick and his daughter

Doreen to help them through their grief. Sometimes we had strong

discussions about religion. One day Nick challenged me, "Have

you ever read the Bible?" I accepted Nick's challenge and started

reading the Bible. Then Nick loaned me a book on Daniel. The

Bible became real to me. I read the Christian literature hungrily.

Nick invited me to one of the Bible studies at his house. I went,

but I resisted some ideas and had lots of questions about what we

were studying. Through it all Dr. Erwin Gane, the teacher, was so

patient and accepting. I kept coming. For most of my life I seemed

to be looking into a mirror of self reliance; now I seemed to be

climbing a ladder, reaching out to Jesus.

Finally I surrendered my life to Jesus and was baptized. It was

the most joyful day of my life. I have met wonderful new friends

in Christ. Now I want to share Jesus with my two sons and my

friends.

I thank God that He reached out to me, and I pray that every

Christian will find ways to reach out to others. It changed my life

and it will change many others.

Sandy Birdsong is a nurse for National Institutes of Health

and lives in Columbia, Maryland.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

7 1

Lesson 9



February 25—March 2

The Text Speaks

About Worship (Part 2)

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Acts 2:1-21; 9:1-18;

Titus 2.

MEMORY TEXT: "He it is who gave himself for us that he

might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a

people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare

these things" (Titus 2:14, 15, NRSV).

KEY THOUGHT:

The New Testament describes corporate and

personal worship experiences that are rich in meaning. This week we

will study inductively three worship passages recorded in the New

Testament.

THINKING ABOUT WORSHIP:

Read over the three passages

listed for this week's study, and give each a title that relates to

worship or personal religious experience. Use the form below:

Inductive Study Guide

Text:

Acts 2: 1, 2.

Section title:

Text:

Acts 9:1-18.

Section title:

Text:

Titus 2.

Section title:

How was corporate worship in the early church different

from ours today? What determines worship practices in local

congregations? Using biblical models, what would you change

in your worship service to conform to the early-church service?

Sunday



February 25

PENTECOST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2:1-21).

The next step in our inductive-study plan is to summarize the

content of the Scripture passage. Either write a paraphrase or outline

the passage in detail. You may wish to use the space below as you

summarize the story of the unique worship experience on the Day of

Pentecost.

Chapter Summary:

Below is a list of questions about the Pentecost experience in the

early church (Acts 2).

Observation: (What does the text say?)

What purpose brought the believers together in the room?

Name three audiovisual signs of the Spirit's coming.

What caused the crowd to gather?

How did the people respond to the signs they witnessed?

What does the passage tell us about how God worked in that

worship situation?

How many language groups heard the gospel?

What was the result of this worship experience?

What other questions would you like to ask of Acts 2? Can you

draw any conclusions from this passage about how the Holy

Spirit works in congregational life? Should the Pentecost experi-

ence become a norm for our church worship?

Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks (Exod. 34:22), of First Fruits (Num.

28:26), or of Harvest (Exod. 23:16), was established fifteen centuries

before Christ and became one of the three pilgrim festivals of the

Jews (Exod. 23:14-17). The New Testament name was derived from

the fact that it was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover.

"The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to

meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would

lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the

supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. They

drew nearer and nearer to God, and as they did this they realized what

a privilege had been theirs in being permitted to associate so closely

with Christ."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 37.

Monday



February 26

THE CONVERSION OF PAUL AND PERSONAL WORSHIP

(Acts 9:1-18; 22:1-16; 26:4-19).

Compare and contrast the three accounts of Paul's conver-

sion. Review the personal struggles involved in his initial worship

experiences as a Christian.

Personal religious experience is a type of worship. Throughout the

Bible are descriptions of people whose devotion to God was manifest

in their encounters with Him. The Greek verb translated "to convert"

(epistrepho)

means "to turn," "to turn around," "to turn back." Other

terms in the New Testament reinforce the concept of return and

regeneration for responding sinners. These terms include such phrases

born again, born from above, newness of life, made alive in

Christ, a new creation.

The New Testament records instances of

change from one way of life to another.

The apostles were called to follow Jesus. Those who accepted

Jesus, either before or after His death, were healed in spirit and were

called to follow a new way of life. In these Bible stories, worship

produced a change of heart and life. Paul's conversion was a highly

personal worship experience involving a crisis of faith.

Ask the following questions of Acts 9:1-18:

Observation: (What does the text

say?)

After reading this passage, describe Paul's character.

What did Paul call the early Christians?

What signs accompanied his worship experience?

What was the reason for Christ's appearance?

What was the result of the roadside encounter?

What role did others perform in Paul's character change?

What was the result of Paul's encounter with God?

There are other questions that you can ask of the passage.

Since we are emphasizing personal worship experience, frame

questions that relate to the personal nature of this experience.

What conclusions can you draw about your own encounters

with God in the light of Paul's experience?

Tuesday



February 27

WORSHIP AND TEACHING (Titus 2).

The early church had a number of functions. It saw as one of its

major purposes the continued upbuilding of the believers' faith.

Worship for the early church was both personal and corporate. It

included an outward teaching ministry, the purpose of which was to

win new converts and to establish firmly the faith of all believers in

Christ as the church's one foundation. The truth that Christ is the

cornerstone of God's spiritual temple is essential for us to remember

(Eph. 2:20; 1 Cor. 3:11).

Paul addressed the teaching ministry of the church. "You must

teach what is in accord with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1, NIV). Cor-

rect teaching was central to the worship experience of early Chris-

tians. (See Gal. 1:6, 7.)

Use the study guide below to answer the questions about Titus 2:

Observation: (What does the text say?)

What topics were to be taught in the early church?

What specific counsel was to be given to men and women?

What were youth in the church

to be

taught?

According to Titus, what does grace teach?

What is the motivation for teaching truth?

How can the church know it is teaching correctly?

How should people feel about you as a church member?

What activities in your worship service fulfill this teaching

ministry? How could the teaching aspect of your worship serv-

ices be improved? How do you know whether doctrine is "sound"?

"It is the privilege of the watchmen on the walls of Zion to live so

near to God, and to be so susceptible to the impressions of His Spirit,

that He can work through them to tell men and women of their peril

and point them to the place of safety."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 361.

How can we adapt Paul's curriculum for our church? What

information does Titus 2 give for the content and practice of

your worship services?

Wednesday



February 28

MAKING SENSE OUT OF WORSHIP (Isa. 1:10-20).

We have studied three passages that relate to worship. The Pente-

cost experience was a dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit to

empower the disciples for preaching the gospel to unbelievers. This

was a corporate worship experience that empowered the disciples for

their mission.

Paul's conversion was dramatically individual. Though some-

times presented as a normative conversion experience, Paul's con-

version was unique. God called an unbeliever for a specific task by

giving him a direct revelation of Himself. The experience left Paul

both physically and spiritually shaken. His calling was secured and

his life changed.

Titus 2 provides a basis for the teaching ministry of God's people.

Complete the inductive study of these passages:

Interpretation: (What does the text mean?)

Pentecost: Acts 2.

Should we expect the same kind of experiences to happen

now?

What was the purpose of the outpouring of the Spirit?

Paul's conversion: Acts 9.

Can we always expect such a dramatic change in our lives?

How was Paul treated by members of the early church?

Titus's teaching: Titus 2.

What should be taught to the church?

What changes should good teaching produce?

A number of other Bible passages improve our understanding of

corporate and individual worship. In the writings of the prophets,

righteous conduct and obedience are contrasted with empty ritual

(Isa. 1:10-20; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Jer. 6:20; 7:21-23). Jeremiah

was not opposed to the temple services as such, but he was concerned

with the attitudes of those who had made ritual a substitute for

obedience and righteousness. (Compare 1 Sam. 15:22, NRSV.)

What is the relevance of Isaiah 1:10-20 to our worship prac-

tices today? Do we offer to God "meaningless offerings"? If so,

what are they? According to the passages you have studied this

week, what should be the focus of genuine worship?

Thursday



February 29

APPLYING BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF WORSHIP (Rom. 12:1).

Regarding Saul's conversion, Ellen G. White writes: "Important

principles are given us, which we should ever bear in mind. Saul was

brought directly into the presence of Christ



He arrested him in

his course and convicted him of sin; but when Saul asked, 'What wilt

thou have me to do?' the Saviour placed the inquiring Jew in connec-

tion with His church, there to obtain a knowledge of God's will."

—The Acts of the Apostles,

p. 120.

The church had a role to play in Paul's instruction and nurture.

Through the worship, study, and prayer of God's people, Paul was to

learn the mission, purpose, and power of the Holy Spirit. As the early

church fulfilled its role in the experience of Paul, so also we are to

nurture new members.

Using the passages you have been studying this week, make

two applications for each that give direction for your life and for

the life of your church.

Application: (What does the text mean to me?)

Pentecost: Acts 2.

For my spiritual life.

For my congregation.

Paul's conversion: Acts 9.

For my spiritual life.

For my congregation.

Titus's teaching: Titus 2.

For my spiritual life.

For my congregation.

Paul suggests that even life itself is a type of worship (Rom. 12:1).

The word

therefore

implies that the act of total commitment is a

response to all that has gone before. Life, not ritual, is part of the true

sacrifice of God's people. Christians believe that lifestyle issues are

important, but it is in the context of worship that these are best taught.

Could choices about health, entertainment, and other lifestyle

issues be regarded as part of our worship? If so, how would

understanding worship in this intimate way be helpful in mak-

ing choices about what is right or wrong?

Friday



March 1

FURTHER STUDY: See the following chapters in

The Acts of the

Apostles:

"Pentecost," pp. 35-46; "From Persecutor to Disciple,"

pp. 112-122; "A Consecrated Ministry," pp. 359-371. In connection

with worship, study also Ephesians 5; Matthew 9:13; 12:7.

In the early church, problems about worship were common. Some

of the problems included: (1) the tone of worship and the confusion

that ensued when individual worship styles impeded the teaching

ministry of the church (1 Corinthians 14); (2) concerns that love was

not at the center of the church (1 Corinthians 13); (3) Gentiles

bringing their "Gentile" ways into the congregational life (Acts 15:19-

21). With each challenge, the early church focused on the true moti-

vation for worship—the death and resurrection of Jesus.

"The apostle's [Paul's] earnest words of entreaty were not fruit-

less. The Holy Spirit wrought with mighty power, and many whose

feet had wandered into strange paths, returned to their former faith in

the gospel. . . . The name of God was glorified, and many were added

to the number of believers throughout that region."—The

Acts of the

Apostles,

p. 388.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

In what ways would your congregational life be different if

the church heeded the biblical counsel about worship that

you have discovered this week?

What rituals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church need

renewal of purpose or practice?

What personal aspects of the worship experience do we

need in order to understand God's will for our lives?

How should the church react to new ideas and worship

practices?

SUMMARY: By using the inductive method of Bible study, we

learned that God encounters believers through worship and continues

to build up the church by empowering the faithful to learn of His

mission and purpose. The Pentecost experience provides a unique

model for understanding the power of the Holy Spirit in qualifying

the disciples to spread the gospel. Paul's conversion experience shows

us the power of God in the lives of individuals who are willing to be

taught God's ways by church members. The counsel to Titus gives us

a model of the types of content the church can share with its member-

ship.

NShal Mission

;EFR



Adventists Win With New Vision

Carole Ferch-Johnson

When someone mentions the Solomon Islands, Adventists of-

ten remember exciting stories of the early work and great faith of

the islanders. On some islands more than 30% of the population is

Seventh-day Adventist, some third and fourth generation. But

many no longer attend church.

Recently a training program was run in the islands to encour-

age the islanders to assume responsibility for leadership in the

local church in both worship and outreach. This includes work-

ing to reclaim missing members.

To put their new skills into practice, the newly-trained leaders

decided to begin visiting ex-Adventists. They usually know us

and are friendly and easy to talk with. The group wrote the names

of the former members on a black board—a total of 26 people. The

new leaders formed pairs, and a name was delegated to each pair.

Two women recognized the name of one young woman. Four

years ago, this girl had left the village as a very happy, young

bride. Her husband had a good job, which earned an excellent

salary. They both enjoyed the benefits of their high income.

When she saw how money benefitted them, she decided to take a

job as well. In her absence her husband was attracted to another

woman in the town; the bride decided to find a boyfriend also.

When she became pregnant her husband chased her away. She

turned to her father for support, but he was not prepared to help

her. She had to go back to her village and her family.

Disgraced and embarrassed, she would not attend church. Too

ashamed to work in the garden, she stayed in her parents' house.

In due time, a baby boy was born, but she did not take him to

church for fear of criticism.

The two Adventist women from the training group visited this

young woman and told her, "We love you, and God loves you.

We apologize for not being here to support you when you needed

us. Please come to church with us on Sabbath. We will sit with

you." The young mother responded and has never missed Sabbath

School or church since. Her little boy loves Sabbath School and is

learning that Jesus loves him too.

Love and acceptance has helped this woman to renew her

connection with the church.

Carole Ferch-Johnson is women's-ministries director for the

South Pacific Division.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 10



March 3-9

Biographical Bible

Study: Peter

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Matt. 14:22-36; 16:13-28;

26:33-58, 69-75; Acts 2:14-47.

MEMORY TEXT: " 'Therefore let all Israel be assured of

this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord

and Christ' " (Acts 2:36, NIV).

KEY THOUGHT:

The-Bible contains numerous stories of men and

women who struggled to learn about God in the midst of the great

controversy between Christ and Satan. They were learning to live to-

gether in community. They had some of the same problems we have. The

biographical method of Bible study helps us to identify the successes of

Bible characters and allows us to apply to our lives what they learned

from God.

LEARNING ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE.

Using the

biographical method of Bible study, we look closely at the character and

trials of a person's life. We try to become so acquainted with the

characters that we feel we are their friends. We learn something of their

problems and victories.

Peter will be the focus of our study as we explore the biographical

method of Bible study. This method can provide years of enriched Bible

exploration. By studying Peter we get a chance to look into our own lives

through the eyes of this fisherman of Galilee.

Review the calling of Peter in Matthew 4:16-21. In what order did

Jesus call the disciples? What do you think the personality of a fisherman

was like? Can we draw a picture of Peter's attitudes and style from this

brief description of his calling?

Sunday



March 3

COLLECTING INFORMATION ABOUT PETER (Matt. 14:22-

32).

The basic steps in a biographical study of a personality in the Bible are

as follows:

Learn all you can about the person you wish to study:

Select someone in whom you are interested. Start with a

person who can be studied in a few hours. The attempt is to

understand that individual in a personal way. Try to live in his

or her shoes for a time. Investigate how that person thought

and made decisions, and see what the Bible says motivated

and directed his or her life.

Make a list of your first impressions of the Bible charac-

ter:

Using the reference tools available to you, list all the

references you can about the person. Discover as much as

possible about his or her life. Note social background, parents,

decisions, reactions, biases, personal gifts, and accomplish-

ments. Note the events associated with the person's life.

Examine the personality and character qualities that influ-

enced the individual's relationship with God:

Review the

references you have found, making notes on each passage.

Then draw conclusions about the person's character.

Identify biblical truths exemplified by the life you are

studying:

For example, does the person live by the Bible truth

that by "beholding" we are "changed" (2 Cor. 3:18)?

Make a personal application of the information you have

learned about the Bible character:

The final step is discov-

ering what you can learn from the person's life that can help

you in your life of faith. You can ask, "Do I see myself in the

life of the person I have selected?"

Using a Bible concordance, look up all the references about Peter's

life as a disciple of Jesus. Some of the passages you will find are:

Matt. 14:22-36; 16:13-28; 17:1-8, 24-27; 18:21-35; 26:33-58, 69-75;

Acts 2:14-41. Begin to gather any other texts in the New Testament

that throw light on Peter's character development.

"The Bible gives the true seeker an advanced mental discipline, and

he comes from contemplation of divine things with his faculties enriched;

self is humbled, while God and His revealed truth are exalted."—Sons

and Daughters of God,

p. 108.

What experiences in Peter's life provide a rich resource for

understanding our own problems and victories?

Monday



March 4

LISTING FIRST IMPRESSIONS (John 1:37-44).

Peter's original name came from the Hebrew name translated

"Symeon" (Acts 15:14; 2 Peter 1:1), the Greek version of which trans-

lates as "Simon." We know little about Peter's home life except for the

fact that he was married (Mark 1:30) and that his wife accompanied him

on some of his missionary travels (1 Cor. 9:5). The Gospel of John

reveals that his hometown was Bethsaida Julias (John 1:44), situated on

the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. During Jesus' ministry,

Peter's place of residence was Capernaum (Mark 1:21, 29). This is where

Jesus encountered him and called him to the ministry. At both locations

Peter had abundant opportunity to meet with Gentiles. Simon spoke

Aramaic with a strong north-country accent (Mark 14:70).

How did Peter first hear about Jesus, and what were the circum-

stances of his call to be an apostle? John 1:37-42.

It was at his call that Simon received from Jesus his new name

Cephas

(Aramaic

Kepha),

meaning "rock" or "stone" (John 1:42; compare 1 Cor.

1:12; Gal. 2:9). The Greek translation of the name is "Petros," Peter.

Little did Peter know how significant his symbolic name would be later

on in his ministry.

In the New Testament, forty-four chapters refer to the disciple Peter.

We will select certain major events in his life and explore their meaning,

using the biographical method of Bible study. We will look at Peter

mainly in the book of Matthew. You may wish to compare the stories

about Peter with those in the other Gospels.

Review the following passages in Matthew that refer to Peter:

Matt. 4:18; 14:22-33; 16:13-23; 17:1-13, 24-27; 18:21-22; 26:33-58,

69-75. Begin to make some notes about Peter. Write out the first

impression you have of him. Then write down some basic observa-

tions and important information you discover about him. Are there

any problems, questions, or difficulties you wonder about as you

read these references? Be sure to note the events that were important

to Peter's faith development. Notice the discussion with Jesus at

Caesarea Philipi about Jesus' identity. Answer the following ques-

tions:

During Jesus' ministry, what questions did He ask Peter?

What difficulties did Peter have, learning to believe?

What was the effect on Peter's faith of his experience of

walking on the water?

Tuesday



March 5

GAINING INSIGHT AND MAKING A TIME LINE (Matt. 16:13-

23).

Referring to passages mentioned in Monday's lesson, identify the

major events in Peter's life, and mark them on the time line below:

After identifying the major events in Peter's life, make a list of any

personality traits or character qualities that helped or hurt Peter's

relationship with God.

Peter was one of the first disciples called by Jesus to work in the new

kingdom of God that Jesus was announcing. He also belonged to the inner

circle of Jesus' disciples. He was close to Jesus and to the other dis-

ciples—especially James and John (Mark 5:37). One of Peter's most

prominent characteristics was his quick, impulsive nature. This produced

the best and worst in his life as he learned about Jesus' mission and future.

"The eye of Christ rested upon him, reading his character and his life

history. His impulsive nature, his loving, sympathetic heart, his ambition

and self-confidence, the history of his fall, his repentance, his labors, and

his martyr death, the Saviour read it

all."—The Desire of Ages,

p. 139.

Which of Peter's character qualities were helpful in building a

sense of community in a congregation? What qualities have you

discovered in Peter that might hinder the work of God in a commu-

nity?

Use the study guide below to list what you see as Peter's identifying

characteristics. Your responses may be both positive and negative. Often

negative characteristics turn out to be positive when given to God to

develop.

Peter's personal characteristics:

Text:



Quality



Positive



Negative

Matt. 4:18

Matt. 14:22-36

Matt. 16:13-20

Matt. 17:1-13

Matt. 26:33-58

Matt. 26:69-75

Acts 2:14-45

Wednesday



March 6

LEARNING BIBLE TRUTHS THROUGH PETER'S LIFE (Matt.

26:31-35, 69-75).

Next we will see how Bible truths are illustrated in Peter's life. We

will look at four of Peter's experiences and identify Bible truths that

seemed to guide him.

Peter walks on water (Matt. 14:22-36).

It seems inconceiv-

able that Jesus would give the title

rock

to someone with the

problems Peter exhibited. Jesus saw far beneath the surface

and detected an inherent strength hidden by the inconsistent

mannerisms that appeared externally. Peter's experience helps

us to understand our own insecurities. We should learn to be

secure in God's love, for in it we can be delivered from our

fears. (See Prov. 3:23-26; 1 John 4:18, 19.)

Peter identifies Jesus (Matt. 16:13-23).

Peter's confession

of Jesus' messiahship was followed immediately by a declara-

tion revealing misunderstanding of His mission. Jesus said

that the confession was a gift from God, "for this was not

revealed to you by man" (verse 17, NIV). "The truth which

Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believer's faith. It

is that which Christ Himself has declared to be eternal life."

—The Desire of Ages,

p. 412. Later, when Peter thought to

control Jesus' ministry according to his own understanding,

he revealed his limited insight.

Peter denies Jesus (Matt. 26:31-35, 69-75).

Matthew 16

records Peter's certainty that Jesus was the Son of God. But

during Jesus' trial, another spirit manifested itself. Jesus knew

who He was. When questioned whether He was the Christ,

Jesus replied, "I am" (Mark 14:62). But not only did Peter

deny Christ's identity, he made strenuous efforts to hide his

own. Faith without works was truly dead in this instance! The

crowing of the rooster awakened his faith.

Peter preaches about Jesus (Acts 2:14-45).

After the resur-

rection, Peter's focus was singular, his faith secure. On the

Day of Pentecost, the power of the Holy Spirit motivated him

to present a carefully crafted review of Jesus' Lordship. Early

church teaching was centered on this truth. Earlier in his

ministry, Peter had difficulty focusing on Jesus' real mission

and identity.

What observations can you make, based on Peter's life, that will

benefit church members in their search for faith? How can the

community of believers find the same determination that Peter even-

tually manifested? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this?

Thursday



March 7

MAKING A PERSONAL APPLICATION (Acts 2:14-41).

Frequently, Bible authors do not state whether an example is good or

bad. Certainly, there are many excellent examples of faithful living

(Enoch, Abel, and many others). But sometimes we are left in uncertainty

about what lessons we are to learn from the people about whom we read.

God allowed both positive and negative characteristics to be recorded in

the Bible in order to provide us realistic examples of life.

For example, the story of Jonah depicts a prophet running away from

God, rather than facing possible failure in a foreign country. What are we

to learn from this brief, unusual, and often pathetic story of God's

prophet? The author of the story does not tell us very clearly. We are left

to interpret the information in the story—but always with the Holy

Spirit's guidance.

Likewise, we look at Peter and try to draw conclusions that will assist

our personal and our community's faith. Where he failed, we can learn

about overcoming; where he was successful, we can learn to look to Jesus

as the helper and motivator of our faith. Studying Bible characters gives

us a realistic view of people struggling to live as God's children.

Of the following passages about Peter, ask the questions listed

below in order to make a personal and community application of

their content: Matt. 4:18; 14:22-36; 16:13-23; 17:1-8, 24-27; 26:33-

58, 69-75; Acts 2:14-41.

Did you see anything of yourself in Peter's life and ac-

tions? Did Peter reveal any of your weaknesses? Did he

reveal any of your strengths? If so, which ones?

Did you see anything that could help members of your

congregation in their lives of faith?

Did you see any of the church's strengths in Peter's life?

What do you intend to do about what you have learned

concerning Peter's life, struggles, and victory?

What happened in Peter's life that might happen in your

life to make you a witness for Jesus? What must happen in

the church for this to take place?

"Peter was naturally forward and impulsive, and Satan had taken

advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him. Just before the fall of

Peter, Jesus had said to him, 'Satan hath desired to have you, that he may

sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and

when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.' Luke 22:31, 32."

—The Desire of Ages,

p. 812.

Friday



March 8

FURTHER STUDY:

Read

The Desire of Ages, "

'We Have Found

the Messias,' " pp. 132-143 and "By the Sea Once More," pp. 809-

817. For more Bible references to Peter, see John 13:6-9, 24; 18:10-

27; 20:2-7; 21:15-22.

During Peter's lifetime the church grew rapidly. Gentiles were incor-

porated into the life of the Christian community. The Jewish community

began to be isolated because of its rejection of the Messiah. Peter's

powerful witness broadened the arms of the church to enfold more than

the early Jewish congregations. His vision, recorded in Acts 10:9-23, is a

classic model of how God reveals His message for the church. Peter's

preaching had focused on the Jewish community. God recognized that

something dramatic must happen to convince Peter that he should open

his heart to other believers. After all, the missionary work of the apostle

Paul was beginning in Asia Minor, and soon the church would become

more Gentile than Jewish. God revealed to Peter that the good news is for

everyone, of whatever race, background, culture, or profession.

Study Peter's vision and subsequent visit to the home of Cornelius

(Acts 10, 11). Note the baptism of the first Gentile converts to the

Christian church. Ask the following questions of the passage:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Why

was

this such a dramatic vision for Peter?

What did the church need to learn from this vision that it

had not yet accepted?

How does this vision help us to build a sense of community

and openness to others within our church?

What commands in this passage should all Christians heed?

What have you learned about your openness to others?

What will you do differently?

SUMMARY:

A biographical study of Peter reveals the struggles of a

person growing in faith. Through his early life of trial, we catch

glimpses of an emerging, trusting relationship with Jesus. Peter's life

gained specific focus and direction

after

he was empowered and

enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Finally, he understood God's mes-

sage and purpose for the world. Peter's life provides insight into our

struggles to grow in understanding of, and fellowship with, Jesus.

The church will be blessed as more Peters enter into their final

commitment to Christ.

For Current Newsbreak, Call 1-800-648-5824.

LJ-L-I.1

61Masai Mission

The Falling Idols

Emmeline Liu

Chia-yi is a large city in southern Taiwan known for its temples.

Temples devoted to Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and many

others dot the city. Nearly every family has at least one idol niche

in its home. It is hard to find a Christian church in Chia-yi, and

missionaries who have gone there have often left, disappointed.

In 1993 a Global Mission team entered Chia-yi. We bought a

four-story building to use as a church. Two big temples stand in

front and back of our new church. A few Adventists moved to

Chia-yi to strengthen the work there. And God blessed us. As a

means to get acquainted with people, we held a health screening.

Many people came, and some signed up for the Bible courses.

Amy Chang was one who signed up. Amy, an elementary

school teacher, studied the Bible course carefully. Soon she agreed

to study the lessons with me. She fell in love with God and

accepted Jesus as her Saviour. She accepted the Bible truths we

presented and joined our small group worshiping on Sabbath.

After studying several months, Amy decided to be baptized.

But she worried about the ancestors' niche in her living room.

Before she came to our church, she and her husband had wor-

shiped at the niche every day. Now her husband worshiped at the

ancestors' niche alone. Amy's husband loved her very much, but

he made it clear that her Christian friends were not welcome to

visit in their home. He refused to attend our programs, and would

not attend Amy's baptism. But we all joined Amy in praying for

her husband.

Following her baptism, Amy went home from the church, and

found that some sacred papers, which were kept in the wooden

ancestors' niche, had fallen to the ground. When Amy's husband

saw the papers, he picked them up and put in a drawer, not back

into the niche. Amy wondered what her husband's action meant.

Then not long ago, Amy discovered that her husband had taken

the ancestors' niche off the wall. Her husband is giving up his

ancestor worship!

After two years in Chia-yi, we have 15 to 24 people worshiping

in the little church every Sabbath. Some are new interests and

students of the English Language School, pleasant, searching young

people who are longing for the truth.

Pray for the work in Chia-yi, for its new

converts, and for those

who are still searching.

Emmeline Liu works in the Taiwan Mission office.

Lesson 11



March 10-16

How to Do a Bible

Word Study

'\\N

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Lev. 19:11-16; Psalm 12;

Prov. 30:5, 6; Matt. 5:13-16; 20:26; Luke 10:29-42; Rom. 6:15-

23.

MEMORY TEXT: "And the King will answer and say to

them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of

the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me' " (Matthew

25:40, NKJV).

KEY THOUGHT:

This lesson seeks to demonstrate the effec-

tiveness of Bible word studies. The word we will study is

service.

One way the gospel becomes real to others is by acts of kindness,

compassion, and unselfishness performed by those who value the gift

of salvation and fulfill their responsibility to the world.

WHAT IS SERVICE ALL ABOUT?

Service can take many

forms. It may be practical service to those in need, service of various

kinds for the church, witnessing to the centrality of Jesus in our lives,

or teaching others God's special message for the last days. Whatever

it is, we place ourselves at God's disposal to be His instruments.

Service is part of our sanctification; we are set apart to be used by

God. Service can bring peace to families, communities, churches,

and to our own lives through presenting Jesus as the answer to human

need. Service implements mercy and justice in our relationships with

others.

Sunday



March 10

HOW TO DO A STUDY ON THE WORD

SERVICE

(Psalm 12;

Prov. 30:5, 6).

This week we will explore the word-study method of Bible study.

The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek,

languages that most Christians do not know. But we can still do word

studies using the various resources available today, which can clarify

the meanings of words and their use in the Bible.

The word-study approach involves a close look at the meaning,

origin, and occurrences of a single word in the Bible. We try to find

out how a word is used, to learn what the word means in the particu-

lar Bible contexts in which it is found. The same word may have

different meanings in different contexts. Hence, it is important to

find out what the Bible writers meant when they used the word so

that we can accurately interpret each passage in which the word

occurs. Only then can we be correct in the application of each

passage to our lives, to the church, and to the world.

What does Psalm 12 tell us about the importance of God's

words for our lives? Proverbs 30:5, 6 uses a metaphor about the

effectiveness of God's words. Interpret the meaning of this pas-

sage as it relates to the topic under consideration.

The steps in this method of Bible study include:

Choosing a word to study.

You should choose words you

have questions about, ones in which you are interested.

Identifying its English meaning and then comparing Bible

translations of passages in which the word is used.

Write

down the different meanings of the word to see whether there

are any patterns of meaning that develop.

Identifying the exact meaning of the word in each Bible

passage in which it is used.

How does the meaning of the

word influence the meaning of the passage? You may wish to

use other tools in your study at this point. For English readers,

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

is an invaluable aid in do-

ing word studies. Bible dictionaries and commentaries may

also be helpful. With the help of such tools, determine how

many times the word occurs in the Bible. What is its origin

and its original meaning? In what books does it occur? Sort

out the various meanings of the word throughout Scripture.

Determining how the word has changed in meaning with

the passing of time.

What does it mean in different contexts

or situations?

Applying its meaning to your life.

Monday



March 11

DEFINITIONS AND COMPARISONS (Lev. 19:11-16).

The word we are focusing on this week is

service.

Our task is to

understand this term in the Bible and to make an application of its

meaning to the church and to our personal spiritual lives. According

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition,

the word

service

has various meanings: "the occupation or function of serv-

ing," "employment as a servant," "the work performed by one who

serves," "contribution to the welfare of others," "a form followed in

worship or in a religious ceremony," etc.

When we think of serving or service, we usually think of volun-

tary or compulsory work done for another person. Various kinds of

service were expected of servants and slaves in Bible times. In

religious terms, we often think that service should be "faithful" and

"humble." Usually we do not think of the reward we might receive

after the work is performed. People who serve are in a position of

dependence. Their freedom is limited because of commitment to the

one being served.

We think of service as having various categories or types, such as

voluntary service for the community, service as a just response to

God's calling for one's life, or simply personal help to someone else.

Service is often a part of our mission statements as we attempt to

make practical our understanding of God's actions in our lives.

What are the usually accepted understandings of the term

service

in your congregation? What are the ways that service is

seen in your family?

"None need wait until called to some distant field before begin-

ning to help others. Doors of service are open everywhere. All around

us are those who need our help. The widow, the orphan, the sick and

the dying, the heartsick, the discouraged, the ignorant, and the out-

cast are on every hand.

"We should feel it our special duty to work for those living in our

neighborhood. Study how you can best help those who take no

interest in religious things. . . . This is just as essential as to save the

benighted souls in foreign countries."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 152.

Using

Leviticus 19, identify what it means to serve. In the

laws of Moses, identify the concern for others the Lord wishes

us to have. Using a concordance and other Bible translations,

identify other meanings of the term

service.

What is the rela-

tionship between service and love?

9()

Tuesday



March 12

THE BIBLE MEANING OF SERVICE (Luke 10:29-42).

Sometimes in the Old Testament the term for "service" refers to

the work of servants in the court, as seen in the book of Esther

(Esther 1:10-12; 2:2; 6:1-5). Sometimes it refers to service rendered

by one person for another (Gen. 29:18-20). Often the word for "serv-

ice" implies sacred service, work related to the worship of the Lord,

but not confined to the priesthood (Exod. 31:10; 2 Chron. 35:15, 16).

In the New Testament, the English verb

to serve

translates three

different Greek words, which have the following meanings: (1) To

serve in the sense of carrying out religious duties (Greek

latreuo:

Matt. 4:10; Luke 1:74; Heb. 9:14); (2) to serve in the sense of being

subjected to, or in bondage to someone; to obey; to be enslaved,

whether willingly or by force (Greek

douleuo:

Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:6;

7:6, 25); (3) to serve in the sense of waiting on someone, to care for

someone, to help or support someone, to serve as a deacon or deacon-

ess (Greek

diakoneo:

Luke 10:40; 12:37; Acts 6:2).

What conclusions do you reach about the biblical usage of the

concept of service in the following texts? Matt. 20:27; 25:44, 45;

Luke 4:39; 10:29-42; John 12:2; Rom. 15:30-33; 1 Cor. 11:17-34;

2 Cor. 8:3, 4; Phil. 2:5-11. How is the concept of slavery used in

the Bible?

The Old Testament refers to the service of slaves. Freedom was

provided after six years of service. (See Exod. 21:2 and Deut. 15:12.)

God enacted laws to control the conduct of slave masters and to

render the lot of the slaves bearable. God was not responsible for

slavery, and His Word condemns the terrible cruelties of the modern

slave trade.

In Bible times, God acted to bring a human institution in line with

His law of love. In the New Testament, slavery takes on a uniquely

Christian connotation. Slaves were given more status. In some of His

parables, Jesus put slaves in positions of responsibility and command

(Matt. 24:45). Paul's counsel to the slave owner Philemon provides a

new basis of relationship between servant and master.

Jesus Himself took the form of a servant (Phil. 2; compare Gal.

3:13). Thus, Jesus taught that in order to be first in His kingdom,

one must be a servant to others (Matt. 20:27). By becoming one in

Christ, we learn how to serve as He did. (See

The Desire of Ages,

p. 21.)

How can you apply Jesus' concept of service in the setting in

which you find yourself?

Wednesday



March 13

THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF SERVICE (Matt. 20:26; Rom.

6:15-23; Gal. 5:13; 6:10).

The Bible suggests that one way to define the church would be as

a servant. Jesus said, "Even the Son of Man did not come to be

served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark

10:45, NKJV). Much of the church has failed to come to terms with

the basic principle behind those words. Even when the words have

become familiar, even when they are often cited, they are often

applied only to relationships between Christians. We miss the truth

that the church is to fill a servant role in the world, as Jesus did. We

are to serve, not only the brotherhood and sisterhood, but everyone.

(See Gal. 6:10, NKJV.)

To say that the church is in the world as a servant is also to say

that we are here to give, not to get. We are here to give, with no

strings attached; to help people because they have a need and we

have the resources, not because we hope to gain something.

What can your church do to serve the community? How are

you a part of this service model of ministry?

"Again and again Jesus had tried to establish this principle among

His disciples. When James and John made their request for pre-

eminence, He had said, 'Whosoever will be great among you, let him

be your minister.' Matthew 20:26. In My kingdom the principle of

preference and supremacy has no place. The only greatness is the

greatness of humility. The only distinction is found in devotion to the

service of others."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 650.

Service is the most profound definition of the mission of Jesus'

kingdom in the Bible. Service is the primary function of the church.

This includes teaching others the truth, leading them to submit their

lives to Christ, and providing a place where hurting people can be

healed.

Jesus did not extract a doctrinal statement from people

before

healed them. Nor did He go to them afterward and say, "Now you

owe Me one." He healed them because they were sick; He did so

knowing that some of them would never follow Him all the way. The

body of Jesus, His church, will continue the work He began.

After reading in your Bible about service and servants, what

can you conclude about your special God-given responsibilities

in life? What steps can you now take to fulfill these responsi-

bilities?

Thursday



March 14

APPLICATIONS FOR OUR LIVES (Matt. 5:13-16; 6:1-4; 1 John

3:11-19).

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love

our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death" (1 John

3:14, NIV). To understand service, we must understand love. The

words that point us to compassion for others also point to the motiva-

tion for that concern—the love of Jesus in our lives.

Apply your understanding of service to your own life. Finish

the following sentence: "I think that I should . . ." What ideas do

you have to begin service activities and positive ministry for

members of your home? How can you begin to serve in your

church? Your community?

According to 1 John 3, the evidence that we are children of God is

our love for others. This passage says that if love is lacking, we

"remain in death." Then we are not sons and daughters of God, no

matter what experiences we may have had in the past. We must put

love into action. Talking about the truth of love will not do; action is

needed. Service is evidenced by compassionate servanthood.

Today the church needs to make a bold commitment to love

people and then dedicate itself to fulfilling that promise. The lifestyle

of the church should tell people that they are loved. All levels of the

church family need to experience it. God's love for us does not

merely amount to good feelings about us. He gave Himself for us in a

death in which we do not have to participate. This willing commit-

ment motivates us to act on His behalf.

This kind of giving cannot be compensated. Christ's kind of love

is foreign to our culture. Most of the time we give to others only to

have our love reciprocated. In God's kingdom others are loved first,

in the spirit of Jesus.

"To those who receive the spirit of this service, it can never

become a mere ceremonial. Its constant lesson will be, 'By love

serve one another.' Gal.

5:13."—The Desire of Ages,

p. 651.

It is the duty of church members, who have been set free from the

slavery of sin by Jesus' death and have experienced the freedom of

salvation, to assume the role of servants (Matt. 20:27). Sacrifice for

others becomes a pleasure, giving for their salvation not merely a

duty but a genuine joy.

Conclude this word study of service by writing applications

of a practical nature for your life. What are you going to do

about this concept of love and service?

Friday



March 15

FURTHER STUDY:

Read Eph. 6:5-9;

The Desire of Ages, "

'The

Least of These My Brethren,' " pp. 637-641; "A Servant of Serv-

ants," pp. 642-651;

The Acts of the Apostles,

"The Gospel in Sa-

maria," pp. 110, 111.

"Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salva-

tion are still idlers in the marketplace, when they might be engaged in

some line of active service. To these Christ is saying, 'Why stand ye

here all the day idle?' and He adds, 'Go ye also into the vineyard.'

Matthew 20:6, 7. Why is it that many more do not respond to the

call? Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do not

stand in the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work to

be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members.

"Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession

of the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him

according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do

their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in

fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be

warned, and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and

great glory."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 110, 111.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What do you think of this saying: "To be a Christian is to

have your heart broken by the things that break the heart

of God"?

Describe a person you know who exemplifies the biblical

model of compassion.

What ideas can you suggest that could be used in your own

church to create a "servant" model of leadership and mis-

sion?

What kind of personal preparation do you need before you

can be a witness in the world through acts of compassion

and concern?

SUMMARY:

This week, through the word-study method, we learned

that we can be so concerned about our own personal religious experi-

ence that, in the process, we forget about others. We become so self-

absorbed that we forget the biblical concept of servanthood. Jesus

died for us, not only to give us a way to heaven. He lived and died in

order to model how we might make a difference in the world. He

wants us to illustrate the nature of His kingdom by our attitudes and

actions.

Global MIszk



A Ministry of Love

Charlotte Ishkanian

Maria Drach is a woman with a mission—to reach out to others

in the city of Sochi, Russia. She is constantly looking for ways to

draw people to the love of Jesus and into the arms of the church.

Since her husband died three years ago, Maria works as an

accountant to provide for her three sons. "The Lord provides

everything I need, so I gladly do what He wants me to do," she

smiles.

Today 20 people came to Maria's tiny apartment for dinner

after church. They sat on the floor to sing and tell stories. One

woman had never been to an Adventist church before. Maria

invited her home for lunch, then to the afternoon evangelistic

meeting in a rented movie house where the church meets.

Maria often leads out in the afternoon evangelistic meetings.

She presents flowers to those who are celebrating birthdays, their

baptism, or other significant milestones. Today Maria invited

people who would like to follow Jesus to come forward. The

woman Maria had invited to the meeting joined the group at the

front. "I have never had such a wonderful day in my life," she

testified. Maria wondered if the woman felt pressured to come

forward, but the woman said, "No, you did not pressure me to

come. You invited me. I came because I wanted to."

Maria looks for people with needs that she can supply. During

recent evangelistic meetings, Maria felt a burden for handicapped

people. She wanted to invite them to the meetings but did not

know where to find them. When she met a woman in a wheelchair,

Maria asked her for names of other people confined to wheel-

chairs. She made friends with them and invited them to the meet-

ings. Many wanted to go, but they had no way to get there.

Maria rented a bus and brought the people to the meetings.

About 30 handicapped people came, and

eight wheelchair-bound people were bap-

tized. The relatives were amazed that some-

one would do this for their loved one; no

one had ever cared for their spiritual needs

before.

Maria Drach is an active laywoman in

Sochi, Russia. Charlotte Ishkanian is editor

of the

Mission

quarterlies.

I or Currciit

NC \\

shrCal

Cull I -800-6-I-6-5S24

Lesson 12



March 17-23

Study of Bible Teachings

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11;

Mark 2:28; Matt. 24:20; Isa. 58:13, 14; Rom. 15:4.

MEMORY TEXT: "Pray that your flight may not be in winter

or on a sabbath" (Matt. 24:20, NRSV).

KEY THOUGHT:

This week we discover the overall teaching of

the Bible on a particular doctrine (teaching). We will investigate the

Bible doctrine of the Sabbath.

REPEAT JESUS' TEACHING AND PRACTICE.

Jesus out-

lined the work of His followers until His second coming: "teaching

them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20,

NRSV). Jesus' teaching includes the entire Word of God (2 Tim.

3:16). Therefore, when we seek to discover Jesus' teaching on a

particular Bible doctrine, we investigate that doctrine throughout the

entire Bible.

For example, on the doctrine of the Sabbath, the first step is to

look up every text in the Bible that mentions the Sabbath. With the

help of a concordance, study all the Sabbath passages. This is a time-

consuming but very rewarding process. Having listed and examined

all these passages, the next step is to organize them under subhead-

ings suggested by the Bible discussion of the Sabbath.

In this lesson, we will assume that all Bible texts dealing with

the Sabbath have been examined. The subheadings that we will

consider are: (1) What is a Sabbath? (2) Which day is the Sabbath?

(3) Should we still keep the Sabbath? (4) How should we keep the

Sabbath? (5) How do we apply the Bible Sabbath doctrine to our

situation today?

Sunday



March 17

WHAT IS A SABBATH? (Gen. 2:1-3).

The theological method of Bible study is the process of discover-

ing what the Bible says about a topic or doctrine and then explaining

it in a systematic, well-organized way.

Using this method, we will develop a "theology," or a doctrine, of

the Sabbath. This kind of theology is called "systematic" because

you systematically search for all the texts in the entire Bible that deal

with a topic and then group them into natural units of thought.

There are five steps in theological study: (1) deciding on a doc-

trine or subject to study; (2) collecting the Bible information;

(3) organizing the material in a systematic way; (4) writing a theo-

logical statement based on the Bible information; (5) drawing con-

clusions, including applications to your personal and spiritual life.

Note how the following passages answer the question What is

a Sabbath?

Gen. 2:1-3: God rested on and "sanctified" (KJV) or "hallowed"

(NRSV) the seventh day of Creation week. Thus God set the

Sabbath apart for a holy use.

Exod. 16:4, 5, 22-26: The seventh day was observed before Sinai as

"a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord" (verse 23,

NRSV).

Exod. 20:8-11: Sabbath keeping is commanded as a memorial of the

six days of Creation.

Deut. 5:12-15: The Sabbath is a memorial of Israel's deliverance

from Egyptian bondage.

Luke 4:16; Acts 16:12-15: A day of worship and witnessing.

God gave us the weekly Sabbath as a day of rest and worship for

the specific purpose of reminding humanity that He is the Creator

and the Redeemer. As He delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, so,

through Christ, He delivers us from the slavery of sin (Col. 1:13, 14).

The Sabbath is a perpetual memorial of both Creation and redemp-

tion, and these two purposes of the Sabbath will continue until the

end of time and throughout eternity. In describing Jesus' Sabbath

observance and that of the apostles, the Bible writers never suggest

that the seventh-day Sabbath has now been abolished or replaced.

Does your Sabbath observance reflect the two purposes for

which God instituted the Sabbath?

Monday



March 18

WHICH DAY IS THE SABBATH? (MARK 2:28).

Is God particular about which day we should keep? Why can't we

observe one day in seven, irrespective of which day it is? How do we

know that the seventh day of the week in our era is the same seventh

day that Jesus and the

apostles kept? How do we know that it is the

day on which God rested at the end of Creation week?

Note how the Bible addresses these questions:

Rev. 1:10:

The Lord has a day. This was the day on which John was

in vision on the island of Patmos (compare Isa. 58:13; God calls it

"my holy day").

Mark 2:28: The Lord's day is the Sabbath day that was observed by

the Jews.

Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11: The Sabbath day is the seventh day, the

day on which God rested and the day that the fourth command-

ment stipulates as "holy."

Luke 23:54-24:3, 7 (compare Mark 16:9): The seventh day is the day

after crucifixion Friday and before resurrection Sunday.

The seventh-day Sabbath, observed by Jesus' disciples after His

death, was the day after the "preparation" day on which Jesus was

crucified. We know that Jesus was crucified on Friday because He

"rose again the third day" (1 Cor. 15:4; compare Luke 24:7), and He

rose on Sunday. The word

preparation

used in Luke 23:54 is a

translation of the word that in modern Greek means the sixth day or

Friday. Arndt and Gingrich's Greek lexicon comments that the word

for "preparation" means "Friday, on which day everything had to be

prepared for the Sabbath, when no work was permitted."—p. 627.

(Note: The Passover preparation day and the preparation day for the

weekly Sabbath were the same day in the year on which Jesus was

crucified.)

The next day after crucifixion Friday, Jesus' followers "rested the

sabbath day according to the commandment" (Luke 23:56). Follow-

ing that, Jesus rose early on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1-3;

compare Mark 16:9).

So the Sabbath is the day after Friday and the day before Sunday.

No calendar changes have ever modified the weekly cycle. From the

beginning of time, the same seventh day has been observed by those

loyal to God's law. The seventh-day Sabbath in the twentieth century

is the same day of the week as the seventh-day Sabbath in Jesus' day

and throughout the Old Testament period.

Tuesday



March 19

SHOULD WE STILL KEEP THE SABBATH? (MATT. 24:20).

Does the fourth commandment apply to Christian believers after

the cross? Did Jesus' apostles keep the Sabbath after His resurrec-

tion? Did Jesus command His followers to observe the Sabbath until

His second advent? Does God's last-day message to the world in-

clude instruction regarding Sabbath observance?

The following Bible passages we have discovered dealing with

the Sabbath enable us to answer these questions:

Compare Exodus 20:8-11 with New Testament passages that speak

of the continuing obligation of Christians to obey the Ten Com-

mandments: Rom. 3:31; 7:7, 12, 14; 8:3, 4; James 2:10-12; 1 John

2:4; Rev. 12:17; 14:12.

Acts 13:14, 15, 42-44. Paul and Barnabas

met with the people and

preached on two Sabbath days.

Acts 16:12-15. Paul held a religious service by the riverside on the

Sabbath day.

Acts 17:1, 2. According to his custom, Paul went to the synagogue on

three Sabbaths of which we have record.

Acts 18:1, 4, 11. Paul preached every Sabbath for eighteen months;

he observed 78 Sabbaths.

Matt. 24:20. Jesus instructed His disciples to observe the Sabbath

through the great tribulation involved in the destruction of Jerusa-

lem, approximately 40 years after His resurrection. The same

instruction applies to God's people at the end of time, who will be

pursued by their enemies. This text is part of Jesus' interpretation

of Daniel's prophecy regarding the "little horn" power (Matt.

24:15; Dan. 8:13, 14, 25; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). The little horn

functions until the end of time. As the Christians fled from pagan

Rome in A.D. 70 and observed the Sabbath, so God's last-day

people will flee from their enemies and observe the Sabbath.

Rev. 14:6, 7. The first angel's message is the "everlasting" (KJV), or

"eternal" (NRSV), gospel. It includes the instruction that we "wor-

ship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of

water" (verse 7, NRSV, last part). This is an obvious allusion to

the fourth commandment: "For in six days the Lord made heaven

and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh

day" (Exod. 20:11, NRSV).

Wednesday



March 20

HOW SHOULD WE KEEP THE SABBATH? (Isa. 58:13, 14).

The following scriptures answer the question:

Exod. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15: Neither believers, their relatives, their

servants, their visitors, nor their cattle are to work on the Sabbath

day. All are to rest and remember the Creator and Redeemer.

Exod. 31:12-17: The Sabbath is to be observed as a memorial of

God's work of creation and sanctification (making His people

holy). Such observance of the Sabbath involves worship. Since

Israel was a theocracy (ruled directly by God), God's direct com-

mand for the punishment of Sabbath breakers could then be ap-

plied. In modern times, living under secular governments, we

leave the punishment of Sabbath violators to God. (See Heb.

10:26-31.)

Lev. 23:32: "From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath."

"Even" is sunset. (See Mark 1:21, 32; Neh. 13:19.)

Isaiah 58:13, 14: We are to regard the Sabbath as a "delight"; we are

to honor the Lord's holy day; "not doing thine own ways, nor

finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words" (verse

13). The Sabbath is to be a day of communion with God and with

other believers. It is not a day for secular work, selfish pleasure, or

conversation about everyday matters.

Jer. 17:19-27: Writing shortly before the Babylonian invasions, Jer-

emiah warned that Sabbath breaking, conducting secular business

on the Sabbath, would result in the destruction of Jerusalem and

captivity. Sabbath violation was one of the main reasons that the

Lord allowed His people to be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar's

armies (605, 597, 586 B.C.).

Ezek. 20:10-24: Ezekiel warned that failure to observe the Sabbath

would lead to rejection by God.

Neh. 13:15-22: Nehemiah refused to allow any secular business on

the Sabbath day.

Matt. 12:1-8; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; 14:1-6; John 9: Jesus

taught and demonstrated that it is God's will for believers to

supply human need and relieve suffering on the Sabbath day. But

Jesus in no way contradicted the instruction regarding the Sabbath

given by Old Testament prophets. (See Matt. 5:17-19.)

100

Thursday



March 21

APPLYING THE BIBLE SABBATH DOCTRINE TO OUR-

SELVES (Rom. 15:4).

Every method of Bible study concludes with a summary of the

teaching discovered in the Word of God and direct application of that

teaching to our lives.

How does this week's study of the Bible Sabbath doctrine

apply to the situations in which Seventh-day Adventist believers

around the world are living?

Each believer must study the Bible instruction and apply it to his

or her own heart and life. We offer the following suggestions that

grow out of the Bible counsel:

Our Sabbath worship services should exalt our Creator and

Redeemer as the Lord of our lives (Exod. 31:13).

All our activities on the Sabbath day should contribute to our

fellowship with God and with one another (Mark 2:27, 28).

The Sabbath is an excellent time for evangelistic outreach

(Acts 16:13-15).

Relief of human need and suffering is appropriate activity for

the Sabbath day (Matt. 12:1-14).

No secular business (buying or selling) or work is to be per-

formed on the Sabbath day. Working to make a living is to be

done on the six other days of the week (Neh. 13:15-22).

The Sabbath is not a time for the pursuit of personal pleasure

and secular conversation, unrelated to spiritual fellowship with

God (Isa. 58:13, 14).

Secular studies should not be engaged in on Sabbath (Exod.

20:8-11; Isa. 58:13, 14).

"God has given us His commandments, not only to be believed in,

but to be obeyed. . . . The Sabbath was made for man, and God would

have him put by his labor on that day, as He Himself rested after His

six days' work of creation. Those who reverence the commandments

of Jehovah will, after light has been given them in reference to the

fourth precept of the Decalogue, obey it without questioning the

feasibility or convenience of such obedience. God made man in His

own image and then gave him an example of observing the seventh

day, which He sanctified and made holy. He designed that upon that

day man should worship Him and engage in no secular pursuits. No

one who disregards the fourth commandment, after becoming en-

lightened concerning the claims of the Sabbath, can be held guiltless

in the sight of

God."—Testimonies for the Church,

vol. 4, p. 247.

101

Friday



March 22

FURTHER STUDY:

On the question of Sabbath observance after

the second coming of Jesus, study Isaiah 66:22, 23. On the relation-

ship between Sabbath observance and reception of God's end-time

seal, compare: Exod. 31:13, 17; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Rom. 4:11; Rev.

7:1-3; 14:1-5.

"Those who would have the seal of God in their foreheads must

keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. This is what distin-

guishes them from the disloyal, who have accepted a man-made

institution in the place of the true Sabbath. The observance of God's

rest day is the mark of distinction between him that serveth God and

him that serveth Him not."—Ellen G. White Comments,

Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 970.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In the light of the Bible teaching regarding the Sabbath, if

the state demands that we engage in activities that violate

God's holy day, how should we respond?

2 There are many borderline activities that some church

members regard as Sabbath breaking and some regard as

appropriate Sabbath activities. What are the Bible prin-

ciples that should guide our decisions on such matters?

A friend with whom you are studying the Bible complains

that accepting and practicing the Sabbath truth would

involve his losing his job. What counsel would you give

him?

In the light of your study this week, how would you explain

the relationship between Sabbath observance and right-

eousness by faith?

SUMMARY:

Following the Bible-study method that seeks under-

standing of a Bible doctrine or teaching, we have discovered impor-

tant truth regarding the Sabbath. The Sabbath day is God's memorial

of His creative and redemptive work. The seventh-day Sabbath is to

be observed by God's faithful people until the end of time. We are to

observe the Sabbath as the Scriptures instruct; it is a day of worship

and fellowship, from which secular work and pleasure is excluded.

Sabbath observance is a crucial aspect of our righteousness-by-faith/

grace relationship with God, and it is an inseparable part of the

lifestyle of those who will receive the end-time seal of God.

102

New

Life From Death-1

Mirta Vigna

Sundar, a tall, dark-haired boy of 13, picked flowers from his

mother's garden in Kathmandu, Nepal. Tears ran down his cheeks.

Inside the house Sundar's mother cried with loud, sorrowful

wails. Nearby lay the still body of a small girl.

It was time to prepare the funeral pyre. The family carried the

body to the funeral site. Sundar placed the flowers around his

sister's body. Then a torch touched the dry wood on the pyre, and

the body was burned.

When Sundar's sister became ill, Father had called the witch

doctors to offer animal sacrifices to appease the gods and assure

that Little Sister would get well. But Little Sister died.

Three weeks later Sundar's brother was dead. The family's

grief seemed endless. The gods in whom they had believed had

not answered their prayers. Desperate, Father and Mother began

searching for a god who would hear their prayers.

Sundar's uncle had given Father a New Testament. It lay

forgotten in a corner. But now, with their gods no longer listening

to their prayers, Father began to read the Bible. Suddenly he

called his wife to listen. "Come to me, all you who are weary and

burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and

learn from me, for I am .gentle and humble in heart, and you will

find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV). As father read

these words his heart was comforted.

Eagerly he searched for other words from the great God of the

Bible. One day he found this promise: "'Where, 0 death, is your

victory? Where, 0 death, is your sting?' The sting of death is

sin. . . But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:55-57, NIV).

People asked Sundar's father why he read the Bible when he

had many other gods to worship. He answered, "When my chil-

dren were sick we prayed and sacrificed

to the gods. They did not hear our prayers.

They cannot heal the sick or bring peace.

But the God of the Bible can heal the sick.

He even raised the dead. His book helps

me to know Him."



(continued)

Sundar Thapa is chaplain, and Mirta

Vigna is a doctor at Scheer Memorial

Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.

For Current Newsbreak,

Call 1-800-648-5824.

Lesson 13



March 24-30

Study of Bible Prophecy

Sabbath Afternoon

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Rev. 3:14-22.

MEMORY TEXT: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of

the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the proph-

ecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of

God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter

1:20, 21).

KEY THOUGHT:

Bible prophecy strengthens our faith and en-

lightens us in regard to our Christian duty in the light of events

predicted to occur in the future.

BIBLE PROPHECY IS OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE

that God

exists and that the Bible is His inspired revelation. (See I Peter 1:16-

19.) It is often pointed out that it is not possible to

prove

the existence

of God or the inspiration of the Bible. The Christian faith is precisely

that, a religion of faith. Even so, the Lord has not left us without

strong supporting evidence to strengthen our faith. Fulfilled Bible

prophecy is one of the greatest evidences that our faith in God, our

confidence in the saving power of Jesus Christ, and our belief in the

messages of His Word are based on objective realities. (See Isa. 46:9,

10.)

Study of Bible prophecy involves first identifying the kind of

prophecy being studied: prophecy with a local application only (Ezek.

26:7), prophecy with dual applications (Jeremiah 4), or apocalyptic

prophecy that focuses on the end-time (Daniel 2). In the study of

apocalyptic prophecy, it is important to interpret the symbolism by

the use of similar symbolism used elsewhere in Scripture. As in all

kinds of Bible study, the Bible is its own interpreter.

104

Sunday



March 24

THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CHURCH (Rev. 3:14-17).

Daniel and Revelation are the Bible's two prime examples of

apocalyptic prophecy. This kind of prophecy focuses on the end of

human history, is based on visions and dreams, and makes a large use

of symbolism. Sometimes the symbols used in any one prophecy are

interpreted for us (Daniel 2, 7, 8). But the symbols in many proph-

ecies are not interpreted. For example, we are left to interpret the

symbolism in the prophecy of the trumpets (Revelation 8 and 9) on

the basis of Scripture and history.

Seventh-day Adventists have consistently interpreted apocalyptic

prophecy by identifying, wherever possible, fulfillments in history.

Daniel gives the sweep of history, covering Babylon, Medo-Persia,

Greece, Rome, and the papacy, culminating in end-time events (Daniel

2-9). Because the futurist school of prophetic interpretation fails to

recognize historical fulfillments, it fails to identify accurately end-

time applications.

Our purpose in this lesson is to study the prophecy regarding

Laodicea, the last-day church (Rev. 3:14-22). The seven churches

represent seven periods of church history. (Compare Rev. 1:1, 3, 19.)

The symbolism used within each church applies dramatically to a

particular period of history. Yet the message to each church is rel-

evant to every stage of history.

The name

Laodicea may mean

"a people judged." It is a combina-

tion of two Greek words:

laos, meaning "people," and

dikaios,

meaning "righteous." Hence,

Laodicea

may also mean "a righteous

people." The name prefigures the pre-advent judgment and the

righteous condition of responsive believers, who are justified and

vindicated by Jesus Christ.

Compare other Bible passages that parallel John's description

of the last-day church: "Neither cold nor hot. . . . You are luke-

warm. . . . You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked"

(Rev. 3:15-17, NRSV). Compare Lev. 18:24-30; Jer. 3:1-10; Hosea

10:1, 2; Amos 6:1; Matt. 22:11-13.

"The Lord has shown me in vision some things concerning the

church in its present lukewarm state, which I will relate to you. . . .

Said the angel to the church: 'Jesus speaks to thee, "Be zealous and

repent.' " This work, I saw, should be taken hold of in earnest. There

is something to repent of. Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and cov-

etousness have been eating out the spirituality and life of God's

people."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1,

p. 141.

105

Monday



March 25

"GOLD REFINED BY FIRE" (Rev. 3:18, NRSV).

Why does the Lord counsel us "to buy" from Him (Rev. 3:18)?

Isa. 55:1-4; Matt. 13:44; 25:8, 9.

"Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift. He is a gift, but

only to those who give themselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him

without reserve. We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of

willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the

talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord's, to be consecrated

to His service. When we thus give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ,

with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us. We obtain the

pearl of great price.

"Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought and sold. In the

market of which divine mercy has the management, the precious

pearl is represented as being bought without money and without

price."—Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 116.

How do the following passages interpret the phrase "gold

refined by fire so that you may be rich" (Rev. 3:18, NRSV)?

1 Peter 1:7-9



James 2:5, 14-17



Gal. 5:6



Laodiceans think they are rich because they are "increased with

goods, and have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). They do not realize

that material possessions or even advanced knowledge are inad-

equate to supply the soul's need and qualify them for eternal life with

Christ. Jesus dramatized the pitiful Laodicean condition in the par-

able of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). His fields produced so abun-

dantly that he built larger barns to contain the grain. Then he regaled

himself with relaxation, drink, and merriment. But the Lord pro-

nounced sentence upon him. His life was about to end. "So it is with

those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward

God" (Luke 12:21, NRSV).

"The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love. Only this can

bring us into harmony with God. We may be active, we may do much

work; but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we

can never be numbered with the family in

heaven."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

p. 158.

106

Tuesday



March 26

"WHITE ROBES TO CLOTHE YOU" (Rev. 3:18, NRSV).

What do white robes represent in the book of Revelation?

Rev. 3:4, 5



Rev. 6:11



Rev. 7:9, 13, 14



Rev. 12:1



Rev. 19:7, 8



Rev. 22:14 (RSV)



The symbol of white robes is common in Scripture. The earthly

high priest and his sons wore "holy garments" (Exod. 28:2), includ-

ing a linen robe (Lev. 16:4; Exod. 28:39, 40). Isaiah spoke of God's

gift of "the garments of salvation," "the robe of righteousness" (Isa.

61:10). Jesus explained that the individual not wearing a "wedding

garment" will be cast out of the kingdom of grace (Matt. 22:11-13).

He alluded to the pre-advent judgment, during which the final deci-

sions are made regarding who is clothed in His righteousness and

who is not. (See Dan. 7:9-14; 12:1.)

The apostle Paul referred to believers in Christ as having "put on

Christ" (Gal. 3:27). The "new man" is "put on" (Eph. 4:24). We must

"put on the whole armour of God" (Eph. 6:11). Thus Paul gives the

unmistakable impression that the character of Christ is to be worn by

believers, in the sense that Christ's indwelling is their righteousness.

(See Rom. 8:9, 10; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 5:27.)

In the book of Revelation, the white robes represent both vindica-

tion in the pre-advent judgment (Rev. 6:11) and Christ's character

bestowed upon His people and manifested in their good works (Rev.

3:5; 19:7, 8).

"The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of

Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly

texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing

obedi-

ence."—Testimonies for the Church,

vol. 4, p. 88.

"By the wedding garment in the parable [Matt. 22:1-14] is repre-

sented the pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will

possess. . . . Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that

all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The

works show whether the faith is

genuine."—Christ's Object Lessons,

pp. 310-312.

107

Wednesday



March 27

"SALVE TO ANOINT YOUR EYES" (Rev. 3:18, NRSV).

What light do the following passages throw on the meaning of

the "eyesalve" (KJV)?

Ps. 119:18, 105



John 14:26; 16:8-15



Eph. 1:18



Eph. 3:16-19



1 John 2:20, 27



When our spiritual eyes are opened, we can discern between truth

and error, purity and impurity. But all our unaided efforts to increase

our spiritual discernment are doomed to failure. Spiritual eyesight

does not result from human knowledge, intellectual enlightenment,

or emotional excitement. Jesus taught that only as we are enlightened

by the Holy Spirit can we see as God would have us see. Knowledge

of the Word is indispensable to the Christian, but that knowledge is

spiritually impotent unless fashioned and activated by the teaching

ministry of the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore we need to be exceedingly careful, and walk humbly

before God, that we may have spiritual eyesalve that we may distin-

guish the working of the Holy Spirit of God from the working of that

spirit that would bring in wild license and fanaticism. 'By their fruits

ye shall know them' (Matt. 7:20). Those who are really beholding

Christ will be changed into His image, even by the Spirit of the Lord,

and will grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ

Jesus. The Holy Spirit of God will inspire men with love and purity;

and refinement will be manifest in their characters."—Selected

Mes-

sages,

book 1, p. 142.

"The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern

between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God

has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with

wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes

of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come

to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will

impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depositary of all

graces."—Testimonies for the Church,

vol. 4, pp. 88, 89.

How can you be sure to receive daily the gold, the white

raiment, and the eyesalve of which Jesus spoke?

108

Thursday



March 28

CHRIST IS KNOCKING AT YOUR HEART'S DOOR (Rev.3:19-

22).

Study Bible passages that enable you to understand more fully

the following sentences:

reprove and discipline those whom I love" (Rev. 3:19, NRSV):

Heb. 12:3-11.

"Be earnest, therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:19, NRSV): Acts 5:31;

Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25.

"I am standing at the door, knocking" (Rev. 3:20, NRSV): Song of

Sol. 5:2; Luke 12:36; 13:25.

"I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me" (Rev. 3:20,

NRSV): John 14:18, 23; 15:26; 16:13.

"To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne,

just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his

throne" (Rev. 3:21, NRSV): Rev. 2:7, 17, 26; 1 Peter 2:21, 22;

1 John 3:3.

The latter part of the message to Laodicea is one of the most

inspiring passages in the Bible. Here is hope for the hopeless, en-

couragement for the desponding, life for the dying. Jesus' love is

demonstrated by His rebuke and discipline (verse 19). He does not

discipline us in anger, as human parents sometimes do, but in tender

love and forgiveness for our human frailties. He pleads with us to

repent (verse 19), something we can do only through the empowering

ministry of the Holy Spirit. He alone can give us genuine sorrow for

sin and the power to turn away from it. Jesus' promise of the Spirit

(John 14-16) rings in our ears and engenders a grateful response.

Jesus' standing without, knocking at our heart's door (verse 20),

arouses the most tender mental images of our caring Lord. Our sin

bars the door to His healing presence. But, through the power of His

imparted grace, we can remove the pile of rubbish that prevents us

from opening to Him. Then He enters and nourishes our fainting

souls. He communes with us through the gentle ministrations of the

Holy Spirit and empowers us to rise above the demands of our fallen

humanity. By this means we can conquer as He conquered (verse 21).

His presence in our hearts by the Holy Spirit enables us to live above

sin, to overcome as He did, and to reflect His goodness.

Have you received the Saviour into your heart? Have you

responded to His knocking?

109

Friday



March 29

FURTHER STUDY:

In connection with the promise to the over-

comer in Laodicea, study the following passages: Matt. 19:28; 25:31;

Luke 1:32, 33; 1 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 8:1, 2; Rev. 5:10; 20:4. Read

Testimonies for the Church, vol.

1, pp. 141-146.

"The mansions in glory are His, and the joy of that heavenly

abode; yet He humbles Himself to seek an entrance at the door of

your heart, that He may bless you with His light and make you to

rejoice in His glory. His work is to seek and to save that which is lost

and ready to perish. He wishes to redeem as many as He can from sin

and death, that He may elevate them to His throne and give them

everlasting

life."—Testimonies for the Church,

vol. 2, p. 224.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How can we determine whether the rebuke to Laodicea

regarding spiritual lukewarmness applies to us individu-

ally?

What relationship do you see between this quarter's les-

sons on Bible study and the message to Laodicea?

What connection do you see between the counsel of Rev-

elation 3:18 and the teaching of the Epistle to the Romans?

A member of your church is often ready to point the finger

of criticism at others, but apparently unaware of his own

weaknesses. How can you help him without giving the

impression that you are judgmental and self-righteous?

How does the message to Laodicea suggest a tactful ap-

proach to this man?

SUMMARY:

Study of symbolic Bible prophecy involves careful

interpretation of each symbol by comparing other passages that em-

ploy the same symbolism. Using this method, we have discovered the

meaning of the symbols used in the message to the church of Laodi-

cea. The heart of the message is Christ's willingness to impart to us

faith that works by love, the gift of His indwelling righteousness, and

the spiritual enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, who clarifies the Word

for us. As we daily open our heart's door, Jesus comes in to dwell

with us and to empower us for vibrant Christian living.

110

Global MissJam

New Life From Death-2

Mirta Vigna

After his brother and sister died, Sundar's family quit offering

sacrifices to their idol gods. They realized that gods made by

hands could not answer prayers. Father began searching for a god

to believe in. He found a dusty New Testament and started reading

it. There he discovered promises of a God who cares for humanity,

who hears and answers prayers.

One day Sundar saw his father go into the family temple behind

the house and throw away the idols. Sundar knew his father had

found hope in the God of heaven.

A year passed, and as the family read the New Testament and

learned more of the God of the Christians, they found joy and

happiness that they had never known before.

There was no Christian church or place to worship in the

village, so Sundar's uncle and his parents started a fellowship

group in their home. A few neighbors and relatives began to attend

the group also. Even though they had no one to teach and guide

them in their new faith, they read the Bible and prayed together.

Then the group began praying for someone to teach them more

about Christianity and God.

In answer to their prayers they met an Adventist pastor. The

little group invited the pastor to teach them the Bible. The pastor

gladly studied with the group, and soon both Sundar and his father

accepted Jesus Christ as their only God and personal Saviour.

Now they understood the love of God for humanity. This wonder-

ful God let His own Son die so that they could be free them from

the bondage of sin.

The pastor suggested that Sundar attend Spicer Memorial Col-

lege in Pune, India. Sundar was hesitant because of the language

barrier, but finally he decided to go. When he completed his

studies, he returned to Nepal and began

working as health educator and chaplain at

Scheer Memorial Hospital outside

Kathmandu. He is happy to teach people

about good health principles and about the

Christian God who hears their prayers.

Sundar Thapa (left) is chaplain at Scheer

Memorial Hospital outside Kathmandu,

Nepal. Mirta Vigna is a doctor at the same

hospital.

111

Lessons for Second Quarter, 1996

The second quarter Sabbath School lessons on the book of Judges

recount the up-and-down experiences of the Israelites during the

centuries between Joshua and Samuel (about 1400-1050 B.C.).

Lesson 1: Unfinished Business.

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY:

Judges 1:1-2:5.

MEMORY TEXT:

Judges 2:1.

KEY THOUGHT:

The success of the Israelites in conquering their

enemies and occupying the Promised Land depended upon their

reliance on and faith in God.

OUTLINE:

Success Through Following God (Judges 1:1-10, 16-18, 22-26).

Promises Kept (Judges 1:11-15, 20).

Failure to Keep Promises (Judges 1:19, 21, 27-36).

Promises Broken (Judges 2:1, 2).

Lost Opportunity (Judges 2:3-5).

Lesson 2: Ups and Downs.

READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY:

Judges 2:6-3:6.

MEMORY TEXT:

Judges 2:18.

KEY THOUGHT:

During the period of the "judges," the experience of

God's people was characterized by a repeated pattern of apostasy.

OUTLINE:

The Faithful Generation (Judges 2:6-9).

The Unfaithful Generation (Judges 2:10-13).

From Disobedience to Distress (Judges 2:14, 15).

Not Learning From Mistakes (Judges 2:16, 17).

Failing God's Test (Judges 2:20-3:6).

Lessons in Braille

The regular adult Sabbath School lessons are available free each

month in Braille and 16 2/3 rpm records to blind and physically

handicapped persons who cannot read normal ink print. This includes

individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis,

accident, old age, and so forth cannot hold or focus on normal ink-

print publications. Contact the Christian Record Services, Box 6097,

Lincoln, NE 68506.

112

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Sea of Japan

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Mission Projects:

Evangelistic Center in Macao.

Sponsor 50 task force workers in

unentered areas of West Indonesia Union

Mission, and build 20 chapels in areas where

new congregations have been established.

Construct an evangelistic center in

Manado City, Indonesia; Construct 35

chapels in territories opened by task force

workers.

Construct a training center on the

compound of the 1000 Missionary Movement

in Manila. Philippines. to train young people

to plant churches in unentered areas.

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752

East Indonesia

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490

Japan

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109

Korea

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Myanmar

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144,793

71,920

13.694

123,968

16,622

186,644

10,718

296.158

56,860

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116,600,000

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21.148.225

124.930.000

67,600,000

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27,367,896

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